Marks and Spencer email hoax

How many times we have received emails asking us to forward it to further X number of people. Sometimes by psychological threat that something will happen to you if you don’t, sometimes enticing us that you will get lucky, sometimes using our greed forward and you will get this or that.

These days another such email is rapidly spreading allegedly sent by UK high street supermarket Marks and Spencer, in conjunction with Persimmon Homes. IT security and control firm Sophos is warning computer users not to be duped by these kind of enticing email offers. The email promises at least £100 worth of M&S vouchers in return for forwarding the message on to at least eight people, and copying in a legitimate email address at British housebuilding firm Persimmon Homes. However, neither Marks and Spencer nor Persimmon Homes has endorsed the email and both advise recipients to delete it immediately.

The text of the emails reads as follows:

Dear all,
Marks & Spencers, in conjunction with Persimmon Homes, are giving away free vouchers. Marks & Spencers are trying word-of-mouth advertising to introduce its products and the reward you receive for advertising for them is free non-refundable vouchers to be used in any M&S store.

To receive your free vouchers by e-mail all you have to do is to send this email out to 8 people (for £100 of free vouchers) or 20 people (for £500 of free vouchers). Within 2 weeks you will receive an e-mail with your vouchers attached.

They will contact you through your e-mail address.
Please mark a copy to:
@persimmonhomes.com
Althoughthis email is hundred percent phoney but unfortunately it is fooling many users as it seems plausible given the growing trend for companies to make offers via email. Sophos warns that forwarding other people's email addresses without their explicit permission could compromise their personal details - leaving them susceptible to spam, phishing attacks and identity theft.

Persimmon has published an advisory on its website informing internet users that the email is hoax, and requesting that they do not forward it onto friends, family and colleagues.