Misuse of CPAP's forum by Spammer's private messages

[felineperson3]

I have received 2 private message notifications through this forum's notification system and when I checked on them the people can't be identified as users. Am I the only one that is having this problem? The link they have both have had me go to is an ad about Viagra. I tried to list them as foes and that is when the message came up that the two names Prolificus and ferracont can't be identified as users. If you can help me to prevent receiving Spammer's notifications I would appreciate it very much. The last notification is copied and pasted below:

Flag this messageNew private message has arrivedMonday, May 25, 2009 9:32 AM
From: "cpap@cpaptalk.com" <cpap@cpaptalk.com>Add sender to ContactsTo: carleyasberry@verizon.netHello,

You have received a new private message to your account on
"www.cpaptalk.com"

You can view your new message by clicking on the following link:

ucp.php?i=pm&folder=inbox

You have requested that you be notified on this event, remember that you
can always choose not to be notified of new messages by changing the
appropriate setting in your profile.

--
cpaptalk.com
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[WearyOne]

felineperson3, this hasn't happened to me, but it sure doesn't sound good. I hope someone in charge of the forum sees this post and looks into it. Have you thought about e-mailing/PMing Johnny?

Pam

[robertmarilyn]

I know Rested gal got some PM spam recently and that Johnny caught a mass PM spam before most of us saw it. I've never gotten any myself though.
mar

[BleepingBeauty]

Thankfully, I haven't received any spam on or through this site (yet). I'd PM Johnny and let him know about it.

[svh]

I just got one--didn't click on the link.....

[felineperson3]

Thanks for all your responses. I did notify Johnny & the forum administrator as suggested.
The forum format has changed a lot since I last visited it since it has been awhile as I have been struggling with many other health issues along with losing my son suddenly last year at the age of 44 with a sudden heart attack. I am totally having to abide and try to do the "faith walk" since I have questioned many times--"Why me?" I rely on Romans 8:28 where God promises us that He is working for the good for all those who love Him and even though I can't understand the purpose for this devastation in my life I just have to believe it as I continue on my journey and fulfill the purpose God created me for. I have received so much good and valuable help from this forum since I joined it in 2004 and contribute my continued success with my "new way of sleeping" to all of the helpful posters and their suggestions when I was struggling with many issues trying to adapt to my now "faithful sleeping buddy".
This is a wonderful forum and it's too bad when someone misuses or abuses it by using it for something other than it's intended purpose.
Again, thanks for all your past and present help. May God continue to bless the forum and all those who share their trials and errors and help others to succeed with adapting to CPAP.

[BleepingBeauty]

...I have been struggling with many other health issues along with losing my son suddenly last year at the age of 44 with a sudden heart attack.

I just joined the forum recently, so you won't know me from your previous visits here. Just wanted to convey my condolences on such a huge loss.

[robertmarilyn]

felineperson3,

I too am very sorry for the loss of your son,
mar

[yorkiemum01]

Thank you for posting this ...as I too just rec'd a private message from ferracont, and due to your
forewarning, have no intention of replying or opening the attachment.

[rested gal]

I'm so very sorry about your son.

Have missed you on the forum, sweet lady.

[ozij]

Oh, Carley. I'm so sorry about the loss of your son.

I often use your wonderful phrase "a new way of sleeping" - I'm sure your new way of looking at cpap therapy has helped more than one frustrated newbie.

O.

[forumadmin]

Howdy,

We are aware of this and are working on a fix. As per usual policy, we'll "titrate" the level of restriction. Currently, we're thinking of adding a captcha (that image you have to type in) if more than 10 PMs in an hour are sent. This would mean someone mass spamming through PMs would hit the wall after sending to 10 people.

Johnny

[felineperson3]

Thanks, Johnny, for your attention to the matter. Our forum is most fortunate to have someone like you behind the scenes working out solutions to all the different problems that arise with a forum of this magnitude. May you be blessed for your dedication to this forum that reaches out and helps so many while maintaining an "openness" yet closeness of a large "caring family". Also thanks for all the posts of condolences to me about the loss of my son. Words fail me when trying to convey my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. To all of you newcomers I extend my welcome to you--you have been fortunate to find this place & Rested Gal--the one that helped me so much during my initiation of CPAP--nice to hear & see you again. I like your new picture avatar, too. The positive aspect of this spammer's pm did produce a homecoming and family reunion for me and caused me to remember to count this forum as one of God's blessings to me when I stumbled onto it 5 years ago.
Wishing all of you blessings and nights of restful sleep!

[sleepycarol]

This morning I had a pm from the offending party.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your son!! Sometimes life seems so unfair, but somehow we manage to move forward and find peace and solace. Once a long time ago I heard the following and it has helped me through those difficult times--

When someone is taken from us, it means that they have finished their job here on earth. God sent them to us for a reason, when their work is done God calls them home so they can continue working for him.

[junie]

I received one yesterday, Also received one in my e-mail messages,

So sorry about your son Sending you prayers.