I read stupid people's emails - the joy of a sensible gmail address

Forums › Off topic › I read stupid people's emails - the joy of a sensible gmail address

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#3014443 27-Dec-2022 21:46

The last few suggestions are fine if you're wanting to create throwaway email addresses, but does not help the idiots who don't know their own email address and use your genuine/master one. In my case I have a firstnamelastname@gmail.com address that a truck/RV sales company in Boise, Idaho keeps handing out to people instead of their own which is firstnamelastnametravel@gmail.com.

They have their own .com domain registered and in use for their web site, so why they insist on using a Gmail address I have no idea. I've complained to them a number of times, for which they have apologised. Still keeps happening periodically though... 😡

alasta

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#3014772 28-Dec-2022 19:37

The solution to that is to get your own domain name, with the added benefit of having email address portability when you change email providers.

freitasm

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#3014773 28-Dec-2022 19:39

This is true. Except the Gmail account I have was created even before its official launch, during beta.

I use my own domain now but also use the Gmail account a lot, when I do not want to give my "official" email away.

freitasm

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#3116567 16-Aug-2023 09:06

Received an email from a Brazilian bank, saying the cheque account was ready to be activated.

No, not a phishing email.

I just deleted it. They don't have an email to report wrong addresses and obviously don't validated emails.

NOMFuP.

DonH

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#3116608 16-Aug-2023 10:07

freitasm:

Received an email from a Brazilian bank, saying the cheque account was ready to be activated.

...

Spomeone setting up a false identity using your stolen details?

People hear what they see. - Doris Day

freitasm

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#3116615 16-Aug-2023 10:13

DonH:

freitasm:

Received an email from a Brazilian bank, saying the cheque account was ready to be activated.

...

Spomeone setting up a false identity using your stolen details?

Nope. Brazilian banks ask for an IRD-like number for registration and the bank doesn't have it. Simply people entering any email address in the email field.

cddt

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#3116637 16-Aug-2023 11:06

freitasm:

Received an email from a Brazilian bank, saying the cheque account was ready to be activated.

Not the same situation but a good story...

When I was working at a bank we got an email from a woman in Canada saying she was getting emails about a Kiwisaver balance etc. but she had never been to NZ and definitely didn't have an account.

Unfortunately when the person in NZ whose account it was had entered the wrong email address, it had sent a verification email and this Canadian woman had clicked the "verify" link so the bank thought the email was correct.

Tradepub

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#3116656 16-Aug-2023 11:14

cddt:

.... this Canadian woman had clicked the "verify" link so the bank thought the email was correct.

..because you should always click links in every email you get even if you're not expecting it or don't know the sender. [smfh]

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

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#3116664 16-Aug-2023 11:23

Someone signed up to Ashley Madison using my gmail address this week. Soooo tempting to vandalise it....

No signature to see here, move along...

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#3116668 16-Aug-2023 11:33

BlakJak:
Someone signed up to Ashley Madison using my gmail address this week. Soooo tempting to vandalise it....

Do it

freitasm

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#3116681 16-Aug-2023 11:51

I mentioned before, French guy signed up for dating site with my Gmail. I logged in, changed passwords, added 2FA and forgot about it.

Do it.

freitasm

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#3233359 22-May-2024 08:54

This week I've received emails from someone in Brazil buying whitewater and getting their order updates.

The problem is that this company uses AWS Cloudfront and blocks access to the website from outside the country, even if it's a click on the Unsubscribe button.

It's a legitimate company (a large retailer) but they obviously don't validate email addresses.

So I just push the "Spam" button on Gmail. This moves the emails to the Spam folder and at some point the company will have to deal with the fallout if they get reported enough.

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#3302111 27-Oct-2024 16:58

You create a TikTok account with my Gmail address? I am changing the password, deleting all friends and logging out from all devices.

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#3302130 27-Oct-2024 17:46

I once had someone use my email address to book car services at a UK car dealership. This continuied on for a few years (despite the usual strategies such as unsubscribe etc) until one year I decided to help myself to clicking the "book your next service" link in the most recent email and helpfully booked the guy's next service. The emails finally stopped after that, I guess when the guy didnd't take their car in for the service they "booked" they must have phoned the guy and asked why didn't you take your car in today and figured out they had the wrong email address. SMH but sometimes annoying the other party is the only way to get things done.

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#3302959 30-Oct-2024 07:27

Some random guy booked a vet consult using my Gmail address. I am not cancelling it because it concerns pet health.

But there's an online booking form, and I am selecting the most expensive consult (ultrasound) and booking under his name.

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