Is this dodgy

doodlebug · Apr 29, 2010

My site save lives is isn't yet ranked for the term group b streptoccus so the only people who know about the site is people I know.

I recieved this e-mail > from a hotmail address

hello, my sister gave birth on 27/04/10 at 36 weeks and her baby has strep b. she is currently under medication and is being sadated, she is very poorly and we are still taking every hour as it comes.
i would also like to make awareness of this preventable infection.
i would like to run the marathon for your charity, if you have any spaces for me and also we do fancy dress bike rides for charity if you are interested? yours sincerely amanda x

Seems a bit soon for someones sister to give birth and then find my site which isn't ranked yet ?

can't help thinking that they will soon ask for my bank details.

If this person is anything to do with an Acorn member then I apoligise in advance :neutral:

I need all the help I can get but don't want to let my guard down :-?

Systreg · Apr 29, 2010

Have you Googled the email address between "" yet, also Google the first part of the email address before the @ synbol between "". Have you checked the full headers from the email for the senders IP address to give their location?

doodlebug · Apr 29, 2010

Hi, kev, it has an IP address but god knows where it's located ?

wb · Apr 30, 2010

Stick the IP address into a site like this to find approximate location/country.

http://www.hostip.info

doodlebug · Apr 30, 2010

Thanks, it came up with Greenwhich

Problem is my e-mail was forwarded from my host, so maybe I only have my hosts' IP address ?

I suspect it is suspicious anyway, mailer claimed the mother was in a bad way but no mention of the baby which would be worse off than the mother

Thanks anyway.

wb · Apr 30, 2010

Send a message to yourself through the contact form and you will see if it matches your IP (www.whatismyip.com).

There was a program on TV recently (Dispatches I think?) about the London Marathon. It was saying as places are so limited for the run, people try to go for any charity in the hope of them having a 'golden place' available for runners. Of course it could be a genuine message although they may just want a running spot.

The mailer did seem to say about the baby however unless I read it wrong (on medication, sedated, very poorly etc). Can't seem any harm in replying to it at this stage as you would with any enquiry - alarm bells would start ringing if anything suspicious was asked though.

Lastly, there's only one person on Facebook UK with that name (may wish to remove her name from your post) - perhaps you could try searching her Hotmail address on Facebook and see if it matches up with the profile.

Bit of a mini essay but hope the above helps. All the best with the charity

doodlebug · Apr 30, 2010

Thanks for your help

I'll send her a reply and see ?

NB* I never even mentioned anyone running a marathon for me :?

wb · Apr 30, 2010

Her message asked about running the marathon, which made me think after watching the program she could be trying her luck and hoping your charity has places? Only a thought though so could be entirely wrong

WigWam · May 1, 2010

doodlebug said:
Thanks for your help

I'll send her a reply and see ?

NB* I never even mentioned anyone running a marathon for me :?

charity's have to buy places for their runners in the marathon (approx £300 each per runner)
they could be trying to get hold of this money?

WigWam

doodlebug · May 1, 2010

Cheers mate, well they aint having my charity's money, £300 would pay for 10 bacteria screenings :|

WigWam · May 1, 2010

doodlebug said:
Cheers mate, well they aint having my charity's money, £300 would pay for 10 bacteria screenings :|

this documentary pretty much explains it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3huVp6aJoGs

doodlebug · May 1, 2010

WigWam said:
this documentary pretty much explains it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3huVp6aJoGs

Cheers, I watched some of that video,

All affiliates know how much money charities waste on paying for direct debit sign ups, my charity will never be dooing that, I plan to maximise my charity's funds

Edwin · May 1, 2010

Regardless of the validity of the email, it's bad form to post it on a public forum! Makes bystanders reading this thread worry about if THEIR emails might end up getting posted in public...