🚀 go-pugleaf

From:   SMTP%"wiphys@nysernet.ORG" 21-JAN-1994 22:51:13.87
To:     Multiple recipients of list <wiphys@nysernet.ORG>
Subj:   internet scam
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 94 22:48:17 -0500
From: jtg@wpauli.lanl.gov (Tinka Gammel)
X-Comment: APS Committee on the Status of Women in Physics List

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From: rtp@wrangler.Lanl.GOV (Ron Pfaff)
To: sunbeams@Lanl.GOV
Subject: internet scam
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 09:13:57 MST

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>From foster@cast.msstate.edu Tue Jan 18 15:06:24 1994
From: foster@cast.msstate.edu (Steve Foster)
To: metadata@llnl.gov
Content-Length: 3566
X-Lines: 84

>From sawyerg@smtp-gw.spawar.navy.mil Mon Jan 17 21:57:48 1994
Subject: FW: Internet Info Warning Message
To: diswg@perch.nosc.mil
X-Envelope-To: foster@jupiter.cast.msstate.edu
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Encoding: 3408 Text


_________________Please pass to all hands____________________________ From: MIS
Customer Support on Fri, Jan 7, 1994 11:11 AM
Subject: Internet Info Warning Message
To: ARPA-DIST
Cc: Action

Dear Customers,

The following WARNING message was received by our Network Operations area and
we are forwarding it for your information.  We are taking this WARNING
seriously and recommend that you not get involved in the International Internet
Association's free account offering.  We will keep you advised as further
details become available.

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            Subject: Warning: International Internet Association

A company calling itself the International Internet Association, and billing
itself as "the largest non-profit provider of free Internet access in the
world" has started advertizing in the Washington, D.C. area, and offering free
Internet accounts to individuals who will FAX them, amoung other things, a
credit card number.  As an active member of the Member Council of the National
Capital Area Public Access Network (CapAccess), I wanted to find more about
this organization that supposedly has offices NOT THREE BLOCKS FROM CAPACCESS.

Here's the result of my search for the IIA.

1.  Their address, listed as "Suite 852 - 202 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20006", is actually a post office box at Mailboxes, Etc.

2.  The company lists no in corporation, trademark or service-mark licenses.

3.  They claim your E-mail address would be <userid>@iia.org.  However:
      a.  No iia.org is listed in the hq.af.mil hosts table
      b.  No iia.org is listed in the acq.osd.mil hosts table
      c.  No iia.org is listed is the INTERNIC 'whois' database
      d.  No iia.org is listed using the INTERNIC 'netfind' Internet lookup
In other words, IIA.ORG does NOT, at this time, exist.

4.  Although they apologize profusely in the application, they state that
    "Without receiving a credit card number, the IIA _cannot_ process an
    account."

5.  Although I have left a message on their voice-mail system, I have
received no response from them.  (they also apologize in the voice mail that,
due to demand, they are operating at a 3-week backlog for applications.)
I cannot judge an organization in advance.  However, I do think it highly
suspicious that, to use their propaganda, "The International Internet
Association is able to make this service available through generous private
donations, and the extraordinary dedication of its membership."  I can say
that I am not convinced this organization exists, and highly discourage any
Internet user from sending information until you make certain that the IIA is
real.

Scott Ward                        (703) 614-4719
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Vice-Chair, Public Relations      Volunteer Service Manager (VSM)

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If you have any questions or concerns about internet electronic mail or access,
please call Customer Support Services at 527-5527 or send a message to Action.

Thanks,
Customer Support Services