Threat Letter May Not Be Kosher. Advice?

**whisper2** · May 15th, 2006, 07:01 PM

I just received an email from e-campaign demanding payment because I have a cracked version of their software on my computer. Being obliged to pay isn't the issue: I was looking for good newsletter software to recommend to a client, and e-campaign was already a strong candidate.

I have several concerns about this email, though. I figure the cracked software "called home" somehow. A couple of thoughts occured to me, especially since the letter is highly threatening and does not even suggest uninstalling the software (i.e., "pay now or else!"). First, this could be a creative business scheme where the company itself plants cracked software and then blackmails people into becoming customers - relying on the fact that people who use p2p will be too scared of getting in trouble to report them.

Another possibility is that this email isn't from the company at all. Perhaps some pirates added in the call home to *them*, and the payment link in the email leads to a phishing page. They too would be exploiting the culture of fear created by the RIAA to cover their blackmail.

Is there any way to quietly investigate this or anonymously report it to the appropriate agencies if this is a scam?

**Pooter's Left Nut** · May 15th, 2006, 07:43 PM

ignore it.

p

**cheapprick** · May 15th, 2006, 07:43 PM

Another possibility is that this email isn't from the company at all. Perhaps some pirates added in the call home to *them*, and the payment link in the email leads to a phishing page. They too would be exploiting the culture of fear created by the RIAA to cover their blackmail.

Ding ding ding.

**shawners** · May 15th, 2006, 07:46 PM

They cant do sh!t, its too costly to take you to court and then you dont have to pay. They would be out of alot of money and actually have to prove you didnt enter the wrong serial by accident. Its a fake, ignore it. Send a letter telling them what assholes they are. Its a fake and no one ever went to prison by using a program like this.

**whisper2** · May 15th, 2006, 07:53 PM

Thanks for giving me your impressions on this.

It's a weird situation because the software is for a client, and he would have paid for it. I was just trying to find the best one to recommend. I'm a little hesitant about recommending e-campaign now because I never got a chance to test it (the whole reason I downloaded it was their Trial version didn't allow me to do a big test). Now I'm afraid if I test this, and the letter is legit, then I'll get in trouble with the company even though the client would ultimately pay for it.

On the other hand, if they are running a blackmail-for-customers scheme, I don't really want to reward them for it. It's a very confusing situation.

**Lehk** · May 16th, 2006, 03:18 PM

just pull out your network cable if you are really worried about it.

otherwise ignore the email altogether.

Steven Icicle · May 21st, 2006, 08:04 AM

The appropriate agencies would be the law regarding small compaines in the country of origin of the software, my most learnered friend. Try blocking the software, if that doesn't work it could be piggy backing to microsoft.

**YWD67** · May 21st, 2006, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by cheapprick

Ding ding ding.

Cheapprick is right. "We have a winner!"

It is just a ploy to suck some bucks out of you.

**Jorge** · May 21st, 2006, 06:42 PM

how did they get your email address? That might have been your first mistake...

**DwarfBaby** · May 21st, 2006, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jorge

how did they get your email address? That might have been your first mistake...

Exactly, ___________________

**shawners** · May 21st, 2006, 08:33 PM

Zeropaid sells email addresses on the side. Soon as i signed up at zp, i got credit card offers and a free penis enlarger device. Curtesy of zp.
The wife says thank you.

**Mels_Smileys45** · May 21st, 2006, 08:48 PM

Watch out shawners, you might get sued for saying that

**mfgbypooter** · May 21st, 2006, 09:10 PM

Zp loves to help it's members reach their full potential.

While his wife is out shopping with new credit cards shawners is at home trying to grow a dick.

*

**Mels_Smileys45** · May 21st, 2006, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by mfgbypooter

Zp loves to help it's members reach their full potential.

While his wife is out shopping with new credit cards shawners is at home trying to grow a dick.

*

Lawdy lawdy lawdy!

ZP didn't send me a device for enlarging my wenis! I feel cheated! I enlarge mine the old fashioned way. I tie a length of string around it attached to a large rock and let it stretch it out for a few hours a day. Like the African tribes use to do. Now its12 inches long and half an inch around.