Tips distribution list should require confirmation link

gromituk

Firstly, if subscribing to the tips does require a confirmation link to be followed, then please say so and then ignore my concern - it's so long since I subscribed that I don't remember and it might have changed.

I am rather concerned that it seems that you can be signed up to the tips emails by anyone just entering your email address in the box. There is therefore no proof that the site is not spamming. The email might say "MoneySavingExpert.com does not spam," but then Bill Clinton might also say "I did not have sexual relations (sic) with that woman." I know this site does not spam, but I recently received an email from a site doing something akin to this site's callchecker which allows anyone to enter an email address in the same way, and I am almost certain that this was simply spam. (That is, no-one really entered my address in the "tell a friend" link; they simply fed a list of harvested addresses through it.)

Therefore, I think that signing up to the tips should send an email which requires a confirmation link to be followed, in the same way as the petitions operate. Or, only existing members should be allowed to recommend others.

MSE_Martin

Thanks for the email. The tip is sent once a week (except in very special circumstances) anyone can sign up to it. It doesn't need a confirmation.

Hiya, while I appreciate your concern, this is quite deliberate. There is an unsubscribe on every page of the site and in every email sent. If people are incorrectly getting it they simply need to click the button. The only chance of this happening is if someone signs up another email. Yet for me the idea of 30% (typical number) of MoneySavers not getting the email due to a verification request, compared to a few people having their friends sign them up and then unsubscribing is a small issue

Many on this site are first time web users, by the nature of the audience, and they often complain its already too difficult to use.

As for

I am rather concerned that it seems that you can be signed up to the tips emails by anyone just entering your email address in the box. There is therefore no proof that the site is not spamming. The email might say "MoneySavingExpert.com does not spam," but then Bill Clinton might also say "I did not have sexual relations (sic) with that woman."

I would be breaking data protection rules if i did sell spam - and acting illegally and immorally. This site doesn't spam or sell the list - all you get is the email. Yes you're right I could just say it, but i could also go out and beat up old grannys, but both would be illegal, and i hope you trust i don't do either.

If i did - i would deserve to be prosecuted

All the best

martin

gromituk

A response from on high and so quickly! Yes Martin, I understand the dilemma. However, the first rule of avoiding spam is "never follow unsubscribe links", so providing them doesn't necessarily do anything except generate confusion, when they arrive unsolicited.

I am a great fan of this site and in no way do I suspect you of spamming. But its illegality doesn't stop many, many people from doing it. I am just pointing out that, to the uninformed, it is hard to verify the intention of an unsolicited email. My immediate reaction to receiving the email about the phone call tracker service was "grr!" and I imagine I'd feel the same if someone sent me an MSE tip email but I wasn't aware of the site.

I guess there isn't an answer to this one.