Public Service Announcements, Spamming and Emotional Investment
I can’t decide what this post is about. There are some points about email perils. There are also some things to say about character. Let the words flow!
Word to the wise. Don’t believe every email you receive. Make sure of your facts before you forward.
Yesterday I received an email from a customer. Actually, I should say that the customer sent an email to 84 email addresses, including mine. The email was a warning about a well-known brand posing a risk of fire. The email is familiar, I saw one very similar to it about a year ago.
It’s a hoax.
I replied (to everyone) and explained that it was a hoax, including a pertinent link to a reputable website explaining the hoax. I also explained that spamming mail costs companies money and that HTML emails (like this one) with pictures can harbor trojans for the unwary clicker. Today, you don’t even have to click, in some cases, mouse hover will bring trouble. Not to mention the brand that has been libeled.
I got an emotional response back. There was no surfing the web for more information. I got a “take your chances” email from the customer. I guess they know better than Snopes and Trend-micro.
I dropped it. I wasn’t going to change their behavior. They were reacting emotionally and there’s no room for other viewpoints when that happens.
It’s okay to take a second look and change one’s opinion. Isn’t it?
