Final Notice? I Can Only Hope

A while back I mentioned a Who’s Who organization (most of which are scams) that seemed to be targeting academics. Today I got another e-mail from the same source, claiming that this is my “final notice.” I can only hope this is true.

I suspect that most academics are wise enough to notice when an e-mail arrives in their inbox that does not address them by name, and thus is a mass-mailing rather than an indication that you’ve been singled out for some honor. But just for the benefit of those who might otherwise fall for this, here’s the text of the e-mail I received:

Hello Candidate,
As you know, you have been considered for inclusion in the upcoming 2009-2010 Edition of the Academic Registry, which is scheduled for publication in late 2010. Despite our efforts to contact you, we have still not received your contact information.

The publication’s editors are now assembling the biographical profiles of today’s leaders from academia into one comprehensive collection. Thousands of researchers at medical, academic, public and corporate libraries, as well as journalists and media professionals, rely upon the academic registry as a daily reference tool for obtaining information about the world’s most experienced men and women in post-secondary and graduate education. Inclusion in the publication is considered by many as a signal mark of achievement.

To be included in this prestigious publication, you need only provide the requested information by completing our online biographical data form. Please Click Here to access your form.

The information you provide will be evaluated according to the selection standards the Academic Registry has developed over many years as the world’s premier biographical publisher. If your data passes our initial screening, we will prepare your biography and send you a pre-publication proof for your verification and approval.

I congratulate you on the achievements that have brought your name to the attention of our editorial committee. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please remember: Inclusion of your biography in the Academic Registry of course carries neither cost nor commitment to you of any sort. Our goal with each new edition is to prepare a biographies spanning the spectrum of noteworthy and accomplished men and women across all areas of the professional world.

Sincerely,

Tim Jacobs
Managing Director
Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals
34-36 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11101

This time the e-mail was sent be “Edward Montaigne” from the address [email protected] .