The bait–getting emotions going–as you, a blogger has your heart sink when a threatening contact form request is received, and you squander as you try to figure out which photo is in violation–only there is no violation and there is no photo infringing on anyone’s copyright claim. A total scam! Scammers prey on emotion, over 95% of criminal activity that involves innocent bystanders incorporated emotions, emotions mask the real criminal activity so that decisions are made without time to even think about sound choices. The only question is, it is impossible to find a motive. But there is one. Yet to see why.

A series of spamming contact forms are being scrupulously abused on my website, be careful–it is not known the method of scamming or spamming is being utilized.

If you are the administrator of a blog, and you receive a filled in “contact form”  matching these, make sure that you DO NOT click any of the links in the form. Currently there is a scheme going on, and I am unaware as to the status of why–but as in any scheme, it is happening with a reason. No one wants to find out the hard way, so be very careful! ————————————————————————————————-
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Make sure you DO NOT click anything close to this. Scammers don’t waste time unscrupulously, so this is NOT happening for random reasons. I will keep you informed as to the status when more information can be obtained.

The FTC‘s Spam Act is geared towards the consumer, so its application towards contact forms on a website or blog is vague, although in essence, could be applied to business abuse. Consultation from a qualified legal representative could be an asset, but as in any civil litigation, percentage rule would apply, and proof of preponderance would be a factor.

Please check out the fine article from Insercorp.com regarding the photographic scam and phishing/cyber-security in: Phishing Advisory: Beware of Fake Email from “A Professional Photographer” claiming Copyright Infringement. The Founder & CEO of Insercorp, Tim Bradshaw, agree and concur with me that these criminals all have one thing in common–a lure to get something from you by tricking you in to obtaining an unfounded trust in you in order to procure with the phishing scheme. I thanked him graciously, and he agreed to let me have my followers have access to this pertinent information, and is available courtesy of Mr. Bradshaw.

As soon as more information becomes available, more will be revealed! Meantime, if you even think that you are being scammed, with the threat of nonsensical threats to your emotions in the situation where claims to violations that you just know are unfounded, report the activity to the The Federal Trade Commission at FTC Complaint Assistant, or call at (202) 326-2222. If you ever think that direct criminal activity is happening, always call your local police department, or if life threatening circumstances develop, call 9-1-1.

Cytonn Photography at Pexels

The Contact Form Spam Caper