For over two years, we have been getting occasional emails which are intended for someone else. Here's one example:
Tomorrow we won't be surfing due to the weather but remember you still need to check in at the pier at 6:30am to receive credit for the day.
- Coach Dowell
And here's another:
I am writing to inform you that Dane will have Saturday School this Saturday, January 12th, to cover multiple tardies to first period algebra class. Please make sure that he is on time and gets this completed.
- Mrs. Townsend
Dane is a high school student in San Clemente, CA. Since his mom's email address must be just one character different from one of ours, we know what classes he's in, his grades, and occasional behavioral problems. We have tried multiple times to inform the school of this email error, but we keep getting emails all the same. Last night we got one from a teacher which was in response to one from Dane's mom... and Dane's mom's original email was included. It went into detail about the health problems of Dane and other family members, struggles with their family business (and the name and nature of their business), and recent changes in Dane's attitude (he seems to be doing much better lately despite his problems). We almost feel as if we know Dane and his family.
Since Dane's last name is not a common one, last night I decided to do a little investigating online. Thanks to whitepages.com, within 30 seconds I had his parents' first names and ages, home address, and phone number. Google Maps showed me a satellite image of their home (which is just a short drive from the beach). With a quick visit to Zillow.com I had the size/value/stats of their house and the demographics of their area. ($575,000 in a down market for a 1500 sf house that was built in 1964??? Remind me never to move to California!) Then I looked up Dane's name on facebook and now I know what he looks like too. And that he's not only a surfer but a wrestler, and a partier. And a Christian. All of this information was acquired within 5 minutes and didn't cost me a dime.
So, my point is that the internet is a powerful tool... in case you didn't already know that. It's also a little freaky that some stranger in another part of the country (or world) could find out so much about you so quickly... makes me think twice about blogging. But that's why I never use our last name on here; that has to help, right? And why I have my facebook settings set so that only "friends" can see any information about me. But still, it would be pretty easy for a stranger to acquire information if he was persistent enough.
Doesn't that give you the heebie jeebies?
Doesn't that give you the heebie jeebies?
*photo courtesy of Dane's facebook page
7 comments:
Whaaaaz up, Dane? Looks like a fun kid. I think you should go ahead and steal his identity, you know... just cause it sounds like you can!
No, even better. You should start semi-stalking him. You know a lot of personal information that he doesn't know you know. You can comment on Facebook and be like "Coach Dowell said you missed practice today. Are you feeling okay?" Or "I saw the police car on your street (and name the real street he lives on). Is everything okay with your fam?" Yeah, that's funny stuff.
Scary! That's yet another reason I am hesitant to join Facebook.
So if the mom's original email was included, maybe you should send her an email with a link to this post or at least tell her what has been going on? If I were his mom, I would want to know I wasn't getting emails.
I loved Jamie's comments. That would be hillarious! That really is crazy though, makes me want to change my blog up a little, or maybe even go private!
Wow Sara the whole time I was reading this I was thinking this is creepy. This is one of the reasons I keep my blog private! Wow!
FYI... since the emails have been increasing lately, with Dane's mom emailing teachers to see what Dane needs to do to make up work in each of his classes, Aaron called Dane's mom yesterday (and left a message) to let her know this has been happening. Wouldn't THAT be a bizarre voicemail to receive!
And Danika, on facebook you have total control of your privacy settings; you can even have it so that if someone tries to look you up, they can't find you even if you're there. Just so you know.
I get emails for an email address that is the same as mine, missing one letter. It is always scouting related. and he is LDS. Which always makes me do a double take to realize it is not for me. I have emailed people each time to say that I am not him and it has happened for 4-5 years now. I hope the dude is getting his info for merit badge round ups and camps and stuff.
this post is a little creepy. :)
that is awesome
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