[Michlib-l] General Warning: Scam Sites

[Donna Winter]

Yes, I get these obnoxious requests too. I tell them I will evaluate their site based on our collection development criteria and make a decision on linking after that. Usually, I don't even bother going to the site... I just file the email in the virtual circular file. :)

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Donna Winter, Automation Services Librarian
Livonia Civic Center Library
32777 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
ph: 734-466-2675

----- Christian Dunham <christian at carolibrary.org> wrote:
> Greetings All,
> 
>  
> 
> Yet again I have received another email from a person who wants me to review
> their company's website and add it to our library's website. I get these
> frequently enough that it concerns me they are targeting all of you as
> well-they are link-baits, a scam. 
> 
>  
> 
> Their website they want you to post onto yours are usually review sites for
> some service. The latest request was for a site that reviewed online tax
> services, while other ones usually deal with college preparation or finances
> in some manner or form. I have received dozens in the last few years. All of
> them come from a real person (not a bot) who usually has no business or
> contact information attached to their signature, and they almost always are
> using a personal email address like Gmail or Yahoo. The person contacting
> you will often tell you the other places that have used their website, and
> often word their emails congenially like a used car salesman. They are
> persistent too: they will message you repeatedly until they receive a reply
> back. 
> 
>  
> 
> Their sites look legitimate enough, but their real goal is to have people
> click to external sites so their own website generates revenue. Basically,
> you are giving them an opportunity to make money everytime a patron clicks
> on one of their site's links. I suggest you shamelessly steal the links
> their sites link to and host them on your own site, if you are inclined to
> do so. 
> 
>  
> 
> Example:
> 
> I was asked to link to a Tax Review Site:
> http://www.reviews.com/online-tax-software/ -- If you click on the first
> option, TurboTax, it will take you to a page of paltry reviews. If you hover
> your mouse over the orange button: "Get Started" you'll notice the site it
> adhoc's to for revenue: LinkTrackR, known software site for advertising
> companies: http://ww3.linktrackr.com/ -- While it will take your patrons to
> Turbotax.com it does so after it generates a little bit of revenue for the
> original host site. 
> 
>  
> 
> Personally, I don't like to see my organization's website play fiddle so
> deceitful parties can make easy money. This particular example was easy to
> spot, but other ones aren't. If it seems too friendly and helpful, and it's
> free, hang on..
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Cheerio,
> 
>  
> 
> Christian Dunham
> 
> christian at carolibrary.org
> 
> 989-673-4329 ext. 106
> 
>  
>