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Thread ID: 115723	2011-01-31 23:04:00	Scam or Not - Google Adwords "Manager"	Morgenmuffel (187)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1174139	2011-01-31 23:04:00	I just had a phone call from an indian/filipino whatever gentleman regarding my a new adwords account. (when I say new, i mean set-up in the last 6 weeks or so) He knew a lot of information, as in my email address which is not the same as the domain, in fact it is very different heres an email he sent me, during the phone call RE: Your Google AdWords Account Dear Nigel, We've noticed that your ads are currently not running and I would like to offer you assistance in setting up your account. Kindly reply directly to this email with your contact information and the most convenient time to speak with you regarding your account. Alternatively you may call us at our toll-free numbers: Australia: 1800988571 New Zealand: 800440335 We're available from 9AM-6PM, NSW Australia Time. Sincerely, -- Name removed Google AdWords Consultant VXI on behalf of Google AdWords _____________________________ While Google has many valued partners and resellers of Google AdWords, VXI is the only authorized partner working on behalf of Google to help advertisers in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines launch and optimize their advertising campaigns. Always be careful about checking the identity of people claiming to be operating on behalf of Google. The simplest way to do this is to ask them to send you an email to verify their credentials - Google representatives, like those at VXI, will always have @google.com or @adwords.google.com email addresses. For verification from Google, please visit the official website at adwords.google.com Google accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. If you received this communication by mistake, please don't forward it to anyone else (it may contain confidential or privileged information), please erase all copies of it, including all attachments, and please let the sender know it went to the wrong person. But there are a few things thast make me suspect one the email line shows this name.removed@gmail.com; on behalf of; Name Removed [nameremoved@adwords.google.com] note the different email addresses especially the gmail one which contradicts their claims that mail from them should come from @adwords.google.com or @google.com When i log into adwords there is a request Important note: Name removed Old MCC has requested User Interface and API access to manage your AdWords account. If you accept, Name removed Old MCC (Nameremoved .mcc@gmail.com) will have access to actively change and manage your entire account, including all ads and keywords, as well as the ability to accept Terms and Conditions on your behalf. API access allows developers to manage your account via programs designed specifically for the AdWords system. Your client manager will not be able to change your account's login email and password. Learn more which is a third email address. and the listed new Zealand freephone number is 800 not 0800 This is all ringing my scam buttons, however he does seem to know information that he shouldn't know, unless he was working for google. as in my email address for my account which is basically my name @gmail which i guess isn't hard to figure out, but i would have thought a scammer would have tried my name @ the domain first	Morgenmuffel (187)
1174140	2011-01-31 23:07:00	dunno, he knows alot about you/your acc. But as you point out that is a 3rd party email address. Interesting...	icow (15313)
1174141	2011-01-31 23:12:00	Simple enough. If you think it's too good to be true or suss then don't pay any money!!	Snorkbox (15764)
1174142	2011-01-31 23:21:00	Simple enough. If you think it's too good to be true or suss then don't pay any money!! There are no charges, they are supposed to be working for Google to help new account owners with improving their ads. But, they want access to my adwords to manage them, and i cannot find anywhere on google that mentions whether that will give them access to my creditcard details. or to run campains that target other sites and will cost me money. Basically if it is true its good as i need the help, but if its not i'll run mile.	Morgenmuffel (187)
1174143	2011-01-31 23:25:00	Personally I would not give people I don't know access to anything.	Snorkbox (15764)
1174144	2011-02-01 00:18:00	When I set up my adwords account, I only had to enter 10 or 12 letter number codes, but no phone call. I think I had to wait for Google to send (as in postal mail) a pin code for registration. I did get a scam mail for my adsense account a while back but I contacted Google and they soon fixed it up. Maybe visit their adwords blog (adwords.blogspot.com/) for any information and help center. Also useful to sign up search engine land (search.searchengineland.com) for adword news/tutorials, they seem to be in the know about adwords and often contact/probe Google directly.	kahawai chaser (3545)
1174145	2011-02-01 01:13:00	Can't you simply contact the google adwords people and ask them ? Sorry if this is a stupid question,I have no experience with adwords myself.	dugimodo (138)
1174146	2011-02-01 03:13:00	well, the link in the email itself definitely goes to the google owned site : adwords.google.com and their confirmation is there and seems legit to me. adwords.google.com I even phoned the 0800 number (even if they did omit the first 0) and questioned them at length... if it's a scam, then google must be in on it too (but then again, they have done a few shady things in the past lol)	bevy121 (117)
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