I got a letter the other day soliciting me to fill out a survey and mail it back. The survey had a cover letter outlining this groups idea to use my inputs and many others to lobby congress on our part regarding our responses to questions surrounding tax cuts, energy, and the economy. Sounds good right? Well it sounded a little too good too be true for me so I did a little research. I found this website called STATLISTICS.COM which had a very nice outline of who intended target audience is for this letter. What the hell! This letter may be a legitimate request for information but then they turn all your information into a commodity for junk mailers and spam artists. What a SHAM!
Folks, if you want Congress to know your opinion tell them. It's very easy; all Senators, Representatives, the President, and even the 1st Lady have e-mail addresses, web sites, and snail-mail addresses. They also have phone numbers that are in the public record so if you want to let your opinion known, take advantage of those venues, not an unsolicited request that comes in the mail. This is a perfect example of something being too good to be true; it's nothing more than a con-artists scheme to mine for your information. The unfortunate thing is that many people will fall for this and millions of dollars will be made at their expense.
So what do we do? A bi-product of my research may have found a suggestion; a blog called "Nerd on a Plane " has a great suggestion that you use the pre-paid envelope to send back an anonymous letter outlining your rage at this fishing scam. This is a great idea, but I like the less time consuming approach; throw the crap away. Oh, and since it has your address all over it I'd make sure and shred it first though.
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