Category Ethics
A rather entertaining email exchange with a Craigslist scammer
Recently, we decided to list one of the extra laptops we have on Craigslist. We quickly received three email regarding the item. Two of the email we’re supposedly from women. Each had a local telephone number under the signture. When we probed further asto whether the sender was local; each replied with a version of the story you’ll read below. We strongly suggest that you never engage with these people. However, we decided to reply in our “Officer Jones” alias because we wanted them to feel the feelings they create in others. We wanted them to feel a little fear. We didn’t know if we could “touch” the people who “created” these automated email but based on the exchange below with one of the scammers, and the fact that we have not received anymore email, maybe we did.
Please be aware that this person uses a couple of profanities.
Posted by eBrand Media Research Department in Ethics on June 16th, 2010
A new VISA/MasterCard scam to be aware of!
By Sean O’Brien
DO NOT give out ANY credit card information over the phone!
Just a “heads up” regarding the latest in Visa fraud. Royal Bank received this communication about the newest scam (quite a few phone scams originate from Canada) This is happening in southern Alberta right now and moving.
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want….
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.
This information is worth reading. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from “VISA”, and I was called on Thursday from “MasterCard”. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard telephone Credit Card Scam works, you’ll be better prepared to protect yourself.
The scam works like this:
Posted by eBrand Media Research Department in Ethics on April 12th, 2010
Legit Web sites team up with shady operators
The link below leads to an example of why we created the “Online Social Responsibility” fan page on Facebook. In the article it’s noted that Fandango, after paying a hefty fine due to its relationships with unscrupulous web loyalty programs, has instituted a number of safeguards within its site and has ended its relationships with those programs. Fandango said it is “pleased to play a leadership role…to promote responsible marketing practices for the e-commerce industry related to online membership programs.” eDebit Pay aka EDReporting, when busted by the Feds for “piggy-backing” paydays loans with its debit cards, started a “web ethics” site, and advertised itself as a ethcis leader.
These companies and these actions make it harder for the rest of us to make an honest living.
The pupose of the “Online Social Responsibility” fan page is to create an awareness that the web is an environment, and like the three dimensional world around us, it’s vulnerable to pollution, and other types of degradation. We want to create an association of companies that care about the future of the web. This is still a work in progress. Much needs to be defined and, in fact, we depend on your thoughts and opinions. We’d like it if you became a fan of “Online Social Reponsibility”.
The article, Legit Web sites team up with shady operators
Posted by eBrand Media Research Department in eBrand Media, Ethics on February 4th, 2010
The eBrand Media “Online Social Responsibility” Facebook fan page
eBrand Media endorses Online Social Responsibility for the purpose of creating an awareness that the web is an environment, and like the three dimensional world around us, its vulnerable to pollution, and other types of degradation. Therefore Online Social Responsibility not only applies to interactions between marketers, companies and users of the web, along with our relationships with one another on Social Networks, but also to the interaction between the eyes, mind, feelings, and thoughts. eBrand Media will always support freedom passionately but we’re ardently against immoral means of manipulation meant to cause an action that an end- user will later regret.
Online Social Responsibility is about connecting with individuals, companies and organizations who abide by the principles of transparency, honesty, and fair play. Our code of ethics and our beliefs are the conscience, heart, and backbone of eBrand Media. Companies who affirm Online Social Responsibility live by the core values listed on the next page. Do you?
Posted by eBrand Media Public Relations Department in eBrand Media, Ethics, Social Media on February 1st, 2010
Microsoft sues over malicious online ads
By Tom Polanski, EVP, eBrand Media and eBrand Interactive
This article, written by, Ina Fried, discusses lawsuits filed by Microsoft against companies that are downloading scareware and spyware through ads running on their network. This is a growing problem as premium publishers turn to networks and advertisers of dubious quality because Tier 1 advertisers are buying less of their display inventory. It may be time for publishers like MSN, and The New York Times, to create a set of criteria, (a code of ethics, if you will), that an advertiser or network must meet in order to run ads on their networks.
The damage to their brands is greater than the money earned, and the quotas met, by selling inventory to anyone.
You’ll find the full article here.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Advertising, Ethics on September 18th, 2009