Is this spam?

[Ces1um]

So I received an email from Michelle Parr at Harman technology last night. They want my opinion on how to recycle their products. I'm a dentist, not sure why they would be looking for my opinion. At first I thought it was just spam but the email address looks legit and she's cc'd another fellow, Matt Parry, whose email also looks legit. It's just the request is so far off into left field that I'm shocked. It's addressed directly towards me and the request is so specific- either help them figure out how to recycle their products or point them in the direction of someone who might know. It's all very weird. Normally this would be just deleted as spam, but this one seems real, albeit grossly misguided. I have no idea how to recycle their products and I can't see why anybody would ever ask me. Maybe it's a case of mistaken identity? I've conversed with Ilford in the past so they have my email on file. Anybody hear these names before? A simple google search seems to confirm their identities.

 

[AgX]

First thing I would do, as this forum likely is not read daily by Harman, is to write an email to Michelle Parr. But not via the adddress given in that email, but via the contact page at the Harman site.

If that mail you got is legitimate, this forum might be the place to explain the idea behind such approach.

 

[Ces1um]

well, I went to Harman's website and tried to submit through their "contact us" form, but there is an issue with the code and it returns two errors when you try to send an email. I think I will simply ignore it unless I get a second request from the same email address. This is all very strange.

 

[removedacct1]

Michelle is on LinkdIn, so why not message her through that?

 

[DWThomas]

In my admittedly curmudgeonly view, unsolicited emails to multiple recipients should be sent with said recipients addressed via BCC (blind carbon copy) so as not to broadcast everyone's email address. That alone would bother me. (And yes, I have occasionally called out some friends for doing it.)

 

[Ces1um]

Michelle is on LinkdIn, so why not message her through that?

Reluctantly I'll admit that I've forgotten my linkdin login credentials. I just don't feel like going through the password recovery steps. Yes, very lazy of me I'll admit.

 

[railwayman3]

I'd be inclined to just ignore it, unless you get any follow-up. Possibly an error, but, more seriously, might be some form of spam aimed at getting personal info.....spammers and internet criminals can be amazingly devious. There is also the point that the new GDPR data protection regulations, effective in the UK since 25th May, ban, by law, unsolicited emails and communications without the recipient's permission, or any unauthorised use or dissemination of data held....I'm sure that Ilford/Harman, as a reputable company, will be observing this, the legal penalties run into serious money. so I'd be surprised if they sent out anything unsolicited or without permission.

 

[MattKing]

Have you corresponded with Ms. Parr before?
I ask, because I know I have accidentally sent emails to unintended recipients before, when their addresses were in my records.
And I certainly have received such emails. I've also received emails that appear to be addressed to someone who has a name that is slightly similar to mine (and may therefor have an email that is similar to mine).
I'm always amused when I get something like "what's for dinner tonight, Mark?" from someone I don't know.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

So... what is for dinner tonight, Mark....er, Matt?

 

[Ces1um]

Have you corresponded with Ms. Parr before?
I ask, because I know I have accidentally sent emails to unintended recipients before, when their addresses were in my records.
And I certainly have received such emails. I've also received emails that appear to be addressed to someone who has a name that is slightly similar to mine (and may therefor have an email that is similar to mine).
I'm always amused when I get something like "what's for dinner tonight, Mark?" from someone I don't know.

Never with Mrs. Parr. I know I did inquire via their website once about their pinhole camera so it's possible Matthew may have been the one to reply, as he's in sales. That being said, it was addressed directly to me, starting with "Hi Trevor". It's just so strange.

 

[Mike Crawford]

Never with Mrs. Parr. I know I did inquire via their website once about their pinhole camera so it's possible Matthew may have been the one to reply, as he's in sales. That being said, it was addressed directly to me, starting with "Hi Trevor". It's just so strange.

She definitely works at Harman in marketing and related subjects. I've corresponded a few times with her and just checking my e mails, first time was in 2007 and the last time was two years ago. PM or e mail me if you need her e mail address checked.

It's not impossible it was sent to the wrong e mail list. I once got an e mail from one of the Harman directors which was clearly meant for another MIke!!

 

[Fin]

Yeah, but... Which parts of typical Ilford products are recycleable?

Photographic paper boxes, definitely yes, but probably not the bags, unless you live in an area where polyethylene is recycled. Could I take it to carrier bag recycling at my local supermarket? Chemical bottles are hopefully made from PET and once rinsed out a few times should be fine. Are 120 and 35mm inserts made from HDPE though? 35mm canisters and end caps are metal, so they are OK, right? And what about 120 backing paper? What can you do with that?

In all seriousness, most of the above could and should be made using recycled materials. Questions need answering... Maybe get on that email thingy!

 

[AgX]

It's not impossible it was sent to the wrong e mail list. I once got an e mail from one of the Harman directors which was clearly meant for another MIke!!

But would such inquiry sent by address list?
Moreover would there be such inquiry at all? (Well, the people from Impossible once publicly showed that they were clueless.)

 

[Ces1um]

Well if anybody was ever in doubt about Ilford reading about what's going on in this forum, I can now confirm they do indeed read what's going on at photrio. I received another email from Mrs. Parr apologizing for sending the email to me. My email address must have gotten mixed into their normal email when I registered my titan pinhole camera. She confirmed the email was in error. I thought it was strange I would get that enquiry. It seemed legit but so out in left field something just had to be up.

 

[AgX]

But even this being an address mix-up, I still am puzzled. See my post #13.

 

[Ces1um]

But even this being an address mix-up, I still am puzzled. See my post #13.

Well, it certainly is puzzling, but I think people are always looking for a cause to explain a simple mistake. The email I received wasn't part of an exhaustive list. It was sent to just myself and one other person working at Ilford. No reason to use the BCC function. It's still puzzling but I think it's mistaken identity and a misstep when starting to send the email. That reminds me, I should go and reply to her. It's been a busy weekend.

 

[AgX]

I see.

 

[Wallendo]

Her email program may have had autocomplete turned on.

 

[removed account4]

i got one the other day too ...
she said she was a widow and offered me 138million dollars USD
to deposit in a bank account to help her uncle,. im still waiting to hear back,
yesterday faxed her my social, routing# &c

 

[mgb74]

In my admittedly curmudgeonly view, unsolicited emails to multiple recipients should be sent with said recipients addressed via BCC (blind carbon copy) so as not to broadcast everyone's email address. ...

Definitely, The accepted practice is to have "Undisclosed Recipients" in the TO field.

Reluctantly I'll admit that I've forgotten my linkdin login credentials. I just don't feel like going through the password recovery steps. Yes, very lazy of me I'll admit.

You have to have a premium level membership in LinkedIn to send a note to another member.

Well, it certainly is puzzling, but I think people are always looking for a cause to explain a simple mistake. The email I received wasn't part of an exhaustive list. It was sent to just myself and one other person working at Ilford. No reason to use the BCC function. It's still puzzling but I think it's mistaken identity and a misstep when starting to send the email. That reminds me, I should go and reply to her. It's been a busy weekend.

Bingo!