Vonage is sending spam to your friends, using your name

Posts: 432 · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:06 am Post subject:

maryjane wrote:

I will still remain a Vonage Customer, I would rather put up with a little spam problem than pay all the extra's (taxes and surcharges and fees) via a non voip service

But Vonage is NOT the only VoIP carrier, by a long shot. Reading the reviews at DSLreports.com, it is clear that Vonage is not even considered the best for quality and reliability.

Posts: 409 · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:56 am Post subject:

rebus wrote:

maryjane wrote:

I will still remain a Vonage Customer, I would rather put up with a little spam problem than pay all the extra's (taxes and surcharges and fees) via a non voip service

But Vonage is NOT the only VoIP carrier, by a long shot. Reading the reviews at DSLreports.com, it is clear that Vonage is not even considered the best for quality and reliability.

Correct! But why would one want to spend the extra money by signing up with another voip service when this one is working just fine. (for me anyway)

Posts: 432 · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

maryjane wrote:

Correct! But why would one want to spend the extra money by signing up with another voip service when this one is working just fine. (for me anyway)

Because it's a matter of principle.

Vonage sent spam to your friends, claiming you asked them to do it, without even asking your permission. That's blatant theft of your identity.

Doesn't that make you furious?

Alas.... as I predicted in an earlier post, most people will roll over and take it rather than clicking their mouse a few times to sign up with a competitor. $24.99/mo. (or less) is the rate for unlimited service with all the major players, even Ma Bell, so I don't know why you think it would cost you any more money.

If you are willing to roll over and let Vonage get away with it, that's your business. But keep in mind that is exactly why they pull these stunts with impunity-- because they know you won't do anything about it.

Posts: 409 · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject:

rebus wrote:

maryjane wrote:

Correct! But why would one want to spend the extra money by signing up with another voip service when this one is working just fine. (for me anyway)

Because it's a matter of principle.

Vonage sent spam to your friends, claiming you asked them to do it, without even asking your permission. That's blatant theft of your identity.

Doesn't that make you furious?

Alas.... as I predicted in an earlier post, most people will roll over and take it rather than clicking their mouse a few times to sign up with a competitor. $24.99/mo. (or less) is the rate for unlimited service with all the major players, even Ma Bell, so I don't know why you think it would cost you any more money.

If you are willing to roll over and let Vonage get away with it, that's your business. But keep in mind that is exactly why they pull these stunts with impunity-- because they know you won't do anything about it.

I don't do referrals or rebates.. So it does not and has not effected my service in any way shape or form nor has Vonage compromised or abused my identity without my permission.

No prediction here.

Posts: 1322 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1322

Did any of you ask your friends first if they wanted to sign up with Vonage? Why would you give out your friends information if you hadn't asked them first?

I asked some friends if they wanted some information on vonage and they said no, the reason being, it isn't available in our area for a local number. I don't give out friends information unless I get permission.

I do agree that Vonage shouldn't have sent the email out as you the Vonage customer. I would think a good Spam blocker would have sent that to the trash bin right away.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 3

That's just the point .. I did ask a few friends if they were interested. They were, so I sent them the offer using the Vonage form.

Vonage has no right to take those emails, and re-market to them 2.5 years later, using my name.

Posts: 114 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 05, 2005 Posts: 114

I had sent myself a referral email so I could send the link out to a few friends, I received the spam also. Funny thing is I quit Vonage over 1 year ago. They are defiantly keeping referral's emails so they can spam them. I've received tons of mail from them also asking me to rejoin Vonage. I am not even able to log in to my old Vonage account to remove the emails.

Posts: 432 · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject:

maryjane wrote:

I don't do referrals or rebates.. So it does not and has not effected my service in any way shape or form nor has Vonage compromised or abused my identity without my permission.

Ok, I accept that you have not been directly affected personally. But it should serve as a wakeup call, demonstrating the (lack of) ethics of the company with whom you're doing business.

A company that sends out spam saying, "Billy asked us to send this to you" when the reality is Billy NEVER did any such thing, is despicable. For anyone whose friends/family received the spam, sleep well tonight knowing Vonage flat out LIED to them, and used YOUR good name to do it.

Posts: 1322 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1322

You did at one time give them permission to send an invite to your friend because you wanted either to get free credits or just get your buddies hooked on Vonage. The question is, how long did you intend on Vonage to keep the information?

I would assume they would contact them once and that would be it.

Posts: 430 · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject:

Does anyone have an email address for Vonage where these comments can be sent? Obviously a customer service email would produce nothing but if many people started sending emails about this to the right person, maybe somebody at Vonage will take notice.