A weird spam, or did I really win some $?

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
5,292
0
76
I got this email from NPD online research, in which they state that they do marketing along with Marden Kane as the adminstrator of programs such as the survey I took with continental.com:

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Dear NPD Online Research Participant,

As you may recall, you recently participated in a study conducted by NPD Online Research. Congratulations, you have been selected as the winner of our ee8x7600141 Continental Airlines Survey Drawing. You have won US$ 100 in CASH!

In order to claim your prize, please click on the following link or go to:

https://winners.npdor.com/yaddayaddaetc

Complete all required fields on the secure Prize Affidavit Form and submit. As stated in the drawing rules, if the Prize Affidavit Form is not completed and submitted within 14 days of the date of this message, we will contact an alternate winner and your prize will be forfeited.

Approximately 10-15 business days after submitting your completed affidavit, your prize check in the amount stated above will be processed and mailed to you via First class mail to the mailing address submitted on your Prize Affidavit Form.

As a very important member of NPD Online Research, I thank you for your participation in our research and look forward to your continued support. Thanks again and congratulations!

If you should have any questions, please see our FAQs @ https://winners.npdor.com/faq.html or e-mail your questions to npdorwinners@mardenkane.com.

Best regards,
Janet Hall
Director, NPD Online Research

NOTE:
Marden Kane is an independent third party administrator that has agreed to oversee the NPDOR winner's process. Please rest assured that the information you provide will ONLY be shared with Marden Kane, for the sole purposes of the selection, notification, and the fulfillment of NPDOR prizes. This information will be kept strictly confidential and will NEVER be sold to anyone outside of NPD.

Of course, if you are uncomfortable with this process, we respect your right to forfeit the prize award at any time.

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Now, I searched through Continental's site and found no reference of NPDOR, Marden Kane, or the ee8x7600141 survey drawing. But searching for NPD or Marden Kane did not turn up anything showing them to be fraudulent companies either. They do ask for my Social Security # though, but the FAQ says they need that because the IRS will tax >$600 in prize money. Anyone think this is for real? Any way to check out the validity of this email? A $100 prize would be nice :) but having my SSN taken for illigitimate use would suck :disgust:

They don't show up on the BBB, but neither does continental.com, which is obviously a very large airline
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
5,292
0
76
Maybe I'm pretty wary of fake spams now, but how do you tell if it's real? Just by running the company through Google?
 

AmerDoux

Senior member
Dec 4, 2001
644
0
71
An unknown, unsolicited, nonverifiable has asked for your SSN over the internet...

Think about it.

 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
WHOIS on npdor.com:


Registrant:
The NPD Group Inc. (NPDOR-DOM)
900 West Shore Road
Port Washington, NY 11050
US

Domain Name: NPDOR.COM

Administrative Contact:
Madsgard, Albert (AM8786) albert_madsgard@NPD.COM
The NPD Group Inc.
900 West Shore Road
Port Washington, NY 11050
US
(516) 625-2469 fax: 999 999 9999
Technical Contact:
Pollard, David (dp308) DAVID_POLLARD@NPD.COM
NPD Group Inc.
900 West Shore Road
Port Washington, NY 11050
US
516-625-4661

Record expires on 05-Feb-2008.
Record created on 19-Sep-2002.
Database last updated on 28-Jul-2003 22:50:04 EDT.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS-NPD-01.NPD.COM 192.81.69.141
NS-NPD-03.NPD.COM 199.106.235.32
NS-NPD-02.NPD.COM 192.81.67.32
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
5,292
0
76
email npdorwinners@mardenkane.com. and ask them to verify it

Hehe, lol. I think actually my best bet is to call up continental airlines tomorrow and ask them if NPDOR is actually their marketing partner then to ask about survey #ee8x7600141. Sounds like a safe plan, yes?

Edit: interesting fax # they got there :)
 

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
Originally posted by: Ionizer86
email npdorwinners@mardenkane.com. and ask them to verify it

Hehe, lol. I think actually my best bet is to call up continental airlines tomorrow and ask them if NPDOR is actually their marketing partner then to ask about survey #ee8x7600141. Sounds like a safe plan, yes?

Edit: interesting fax # they got there :)

sounds good-- reading through the npdor site-- it almost looks legit.. congrats if it turns out to be so. I could use an extra $100
 

Slacker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,623
33
91
This is the sucker punch right here
Of course, if you are uncomfortable with this process, we respect your right to forfeit the prize award at any time.
Like they are goading you into submitting, I would try to find a way to speak with a person at that company, also, did you participate in that survey?
 

Cyberian

Diamond Member
Jun 17, 2000
9,999
1
0
Originally posted by: bunker
WHOIS on npdor.com:


Registrant:
The NPD Group Inc. (NPDOR-DOM)
900 West Shore Road
Port Washington, NY 11050
US
NPD is a large research firm.
That is their correct address and they have been in business for quite a while.


 

UDT89

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
4,529
0
76
i signed up for that research company a few weeks ago. Seems legit. Im about 15 minutes from Port Washington.

I have done at least 4 surveys and havent won a thing. So if u signed up, and you did the survey, then you won. Its not like u didnt sign up right????? Why would continential have to say something about a survey company they hired to get some feedback>
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
5,292
0
76
I actually do think (not 100% sure) that I did such a survey. BTW, I'm kinda new to the WHOIS, but what can I learn from the WHOIS aside from their fishy (or nonexistant) fax #?

As for speaking to a person in the company, that probably wouldn't work very well because any fake can make themselves sound real; it's the needing others to verify that company that counts.

NPD is a large research firm.
That is their correct address and they have been in business for quite a while
Thx Cyberian :)
 

UDT89

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
4,529
0
76
well u have to register to take the surveys. I can drive by the address one day when im off and see whats up