HMV getcloser spam

notcloser · 2008-03-08 3:42 pm

Hi there - just found this forum & this is my first post here (don't bit my head off).

I thought you might be interested in the spam that is being created by HMV for their a new social networking site. A quick Google shows they have targeted lots of forums:

http://www.google.com/search?q=getcloserbeta

I had put this blog post up as a summary of what they are doing:

http://getcloserbeta.blogspot.com/2008/ … g-you.html

It is especially worrying as not only is it from a reputable company, they are demanding people hand over personal details, yet they are posting under multiple aliases and do not give their real names or contact details in every post. I am not sure if it breaks any law but it is unethical on my view. I would be interested in your views and if you agree then please spread the word. Thank you!

Last edited by notcloser (2008-03-08 3:43 pm)

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-08 6:26 pm

Got this when trying the blogspot URL;

We are sorry, but we were unable to complete your request.

When reporting this error to Blogger Support or on the Blogger Help Group, please:

Describe what you were doing when you got this error. 
Provide the following error code and additional information.

bX-1v91ug

Additional information
host: getcloserbeta.blogspot.com
uri: /2008/02/getclosercom-how-hmv-are-spamming-you.html

This information will help us to track down your specific problem and fix it! We apologise for the inconvenience.

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-08 6:34 pm

Thats one heck of a long beta;

Creation Date........ 2000-03-07[/b]
Registration Date.... 2007-04-17
Expiry Date.......... 2010-03-07

http://hosts-file.net/?s=getcloser.com

.... and the phishing site isn't run by HMV

Organisation Name: NetUI Ltd
Contact Name: Alex Pepper
Address Line 1: 2 Sheraton Street
Address Line 2: Soho
City / Town: London
State / Province:
Zip / Postcode: W1F 8BH
Country: UK
Telephone: +44 (87036) 64969
Fax: +44 (87085) 55355
Email: alex@netui.net

http://hosts-file.net/?s=getcloserbeta.com

Seems they've outright lifted the privacy pages from the real site;

http://getcloserbeta.com/terms.html

Welcome to Getcloser.com, a social networking service that allows you to discover new Music and Film and gets you closer to the Music and Films you love. The Getcloser service and network (collectively "the Service") is operated by Get Closer Limited ("Get Closer") whose registered office is situated at Shelley House, 2 - 4 York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1SR, with registered number 3065164.
By checking the box below or accessing the Service at www.getcloser.com (the "Website") or using the site content or Service or accessing your account, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions ("Terms of Use" or "this Agreement"), whether or not you are a registered member of the Service.

notcloser · 2008-03-08 7:05 pm

Strange... the http://getcloserbeta.blogspot.com/ site is still up though. Maybe Blogger has a problem right now.

As for it being a phishing site - it's not. If you supply an email to the getcloser.com site it sends the following email:

Received: from HMV-LIVE-WEB2 ([127.0.0.1]) by HMV-LIVE-WEB2 with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959);
Sat, 8 Mar 2008 19:03:34 +0000
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: "Get Closer Admin" <NOREPLY@GETCLOSER.COM>
To: [deleted]
Date: 8 Mar 2008 19:03:34 +0000
Subject: Thank you for your interest in GetCloser
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Return-Path: noreply@getcloser.com
Message-ID: <HMV-LIVE-WEB2FRaqbC00000002@HMV-LIVE-WEB2>
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 08 Mar 2008 19:03:34.0828 (UTC) FILETIME=[1BC3DEC0:01C8814F]
Hello,
You've been successfully added to our invite list.
Keep an eye on your inbox as we'll inform you as soon as the site goes live.
If you'd like to become one of our beta testers and be added into the next
intake of users please follow this link: http://www.getcloserbeta.com
Thanks
The Get Closer Team

Last edited by notcloser (2008-03-08 7:06 pm)

susato · 2008-03-09 5:18 pm

Look at the full headers from that email -- Does it come from where you expect it to come from?

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-09 9:27 pm

The blog is working again now, and to confirm this, I've submitted a registration request to the site with a special e-mail address.

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-10 12:38 am

I'm still not convinced this isn't a scam ....... submitted my request hours ago and haven't had so much as a confirmatin.

I've also been looking over the interweb about this and;

http://forums.myspace.com/t/3724543.asp … ortOrder=0
http://forums.films.ie/general-chat/323 … -site.html
http://gigwise.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66416
http://www.dogsonacid.com/showthread.ph … perpage=20

From what I'm reading, you'll only get an e-mail if you're accepted, which brings another question - what happens to the details you submitted? are they deleted?

I'll stay suspicious until I've reason to do otherwise ....

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-10 12:44 am

Good thing I used a specific e-mail for them ..... from their privacy policy;

1.2.8 for marketing third party products and services to you, unless you have withheld your consent for us to do so (for example by ticking the relevant boxes [on your registration form] or if you subsequently notify us by post or email that you no longer wish to receive such messages (see section 7 below);

Funny thing is, there is no "relevant boxes" on the registration form that refers to anything third party based, and no website has the right to automatically opt you into anything to do with third party advertising ....

If this is legit then I've also got one other question for them, and I'll be contacting them in due course about this - why have they used seperate and unrelated information for the WhoIs for the two website's? why do they actually need the two website's?

julz · 2008-03-10 2:38 am

MysteryFCM wrote:

website's

That makes me cringe. Why use a possessive apostrophe to pluralise a noun?

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-10 2:51 am

hehe force of habit ......

julz · 2008-03-10 6:00 am

MysteryFCM wrote:

hehe force of habit ......

I just don't understand the logic behind it at all...

Though I agree, their websites seem a bit suspicious.

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-10 6:11 am

Only logic is that I used to do it because it wound people up .... and I've not been able to get back out of the habit again, lol

julz · 2008-03-10 7:37 am

MysteryFCM wrote:

Only logic is that I used to do it because it wound people up .... and I've not been able to get back out of the habit again, lol

No, I meant the logic behind it- how it started, or why people do it. I have come across many people who don't even know it's wrong; that's just woeful.

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-10 7:44 am

hehe alas that one I can't answer ......

julz · 2008-03-10 8:41 pm

Ah no worries. Went to a pub for supper last night and read the sign they had just posted up:

As of April 21 we will no long be open Saturday's, Sunday's or Public Holidays. Saturday and Sunday's what? They have to own something. But it was interesting to note no apostrophe on the Public Holidays. Bizarre

Anyway best not ramble on, this is a General Discussion forum

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-10 10:43 pm

LOL!

MysteryFCM · 2008-03-14 11:13 am

Just a note folks ..... I sent them an e-mail on the 10th and haven't had a reply yet ...... they're not inspiring confidence here

#1 2008-03-08 3:42 pm

HMV getcloser spam

#2 2008-03-08 6:26 pm

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#3 2008-03-08 6:34 pm

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#4 2008-03-08 7:05 pm

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#5 2008-03-09 5:18 pm

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#6 2008-03-09 9:27 pm

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#7 2008-03-10 12:38 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#8 2008-03-10 12:44 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#9 2008-03-10 2:38 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#10 2008-03-10 2:51 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#11 2008-03-10 6:00 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#12 2008-03-10 6:11 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#13 2008-03-10 7:37 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#14 2008-03-10 7:44 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#15 2008-03-10 8:41 pm

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#16 2008-03-10 10:43 pm

Re: HMV getcloser spam

#17 2008-03-14 11:13 am

Re: HMV getcloser spam

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