One of the reasons email is broken is that many companies do not bother to verify email addresses when setting up accounts. If someone by accident or design opens an account with an email other than their own \u2013 yours, for example \u2013 the person who actually has that email address may get bombarded with unwanted emails. Mostly you can just block them with all the other spam but it can be problematic. You may run into difficulties if you try to open your own account with the same organization. If there is money involved you may also get pursued by email for the other person\u2019s debts; presumably this sort of thing can be sorted out but in some cases passively accepting the problem might not be the best idea.<\/p>\n
What should happen is that all email addresses are verified. The company where the account is set up sends ONE email to the address given, with a magic link to verify that it really is you that set up the account. If you ignore that email you should never get another one. Sometimes there is even a link to say \u201cthis is not me\u201d or \u201cdisavow\u201d, which is even better.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately it can be hard to inform the organisation of the wrong email address. In the majority of cases, emails come from a \u201cdo not reply\u201d address. Often you are meant to log into the account (that is not your account) to make changes or contact support. You would have to change the password of course. That seems a bad idea and might even be considered a tacit acceptance that it is your account, or a hack attempt.<\/p>\n
When this happens to me I mostly ignore it, but sometimes resort to things like Twitter support contacts or web chat. It can still be awkward. Here\u2019s my chat transcript when Netflix (which should know better) sent me a welcome email for my new account (nothing to do with me):<\/p>\n
Me
\nSomeone has created a Netflix account with my email address. Please delete it.<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nHi there \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nSure!! No problem<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nCould you please tell me what’s your email address?<\/p>\nMe
\n*************************<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nI could find any active account with this email address… don’t you have another email address?<\/p>\nMe
\nI have just received a welcome email<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nTo that email? *************************<\/p>\nMe
\nyes<\/p>\nMe
\nHey there, My name is ****. I work at Netflix and help our newest members get started. If you\u2019d like to chat before you start your free month, you can call 1-***-***-**** with any questions. Also, don\u2019t worry about being billed by surprise — we always send a reminder before your free trial ends. If you\u2019re all set, finish your account setup to start watching. If there\u2019s anything you need help with, don\u2019t hesitate to contact us. Cheers, **** netflix.com<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nOohh!!! That’s definetely not from us!!<\/p>\nMe
\nit passes DKIM<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nThis is a phising email<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nphishin*<\/p>\nMe
\nARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; dkim=pass header.i=@netflix.com<\/p>\nMe
\nso it is from your domain<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nPlease tell me the email address who sent you the email
\nMe<\/p>\nMe
\n***********************<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nOOH!! O.O<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nPlease wait a second<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nI’m checking here… please hang on there<\/p>\nMe
\nthanks<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nIt looks like someone took your email information and created an account, but don’t worry, I’m cancelling the account right now<\/p>\nMe
\nthanks
\nMe<\/p>\nthat is what I said at first \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
[Rep] Netflix
\nYes… I know xD but I really needed to confirm all the information<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nI’m on it now \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nDone \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\nMe
\nthanks<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nI was a pleasure \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n[Rep] Netflix
\nAnd one more thing, if you wouldn’t mind, please stay online for a one question survey.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nI declined the one question survey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of the reasons email is broken is that many companies do not bother to verify email addresses when setting up accounts. If someone by accident or design opens an account with an email other than their own \u2013 yours, for example \u2013 the person who actually has that email address may get bombarded with … Continue reading The annoyance of mistaken email addresses – an example from Netflix<\/span>