to be alarmed at how easily parents are sending out this info?

[anotherbloomingusername]

I know the facebook Children's Book Exchange scam has been discussed on MN, and we all know it's a scam. But it isn't the pyramid scamminess that disturbs me the most.

I've recieved two unsolicited emails from mates including their children's name and address, and each also included the details of a child who is a total stranger to me. Happily, I'm not a sick bastard. I'm happy to send the kid a book. But the parents had no way of knowing that!

In these days when we accompany our kids everywhere and everybody talks about data protection, these parents are being casual enough to throw their kids info out into the unknown.

I try not to be the kind of person who sees a paedophile on every corner. But at the same time, I can see potential for the information to be used for grooming or stalking in the wrong hands. And I haven't just found out the kids' names and addresses-- I've found out that their parents are vulnerable enough to fall for the scam.

Is it too farfetched to think that maybe that was the actual point of the scam? The pyramid nature of it is pretty clear to most thinking people, and really who wants 36 random books? AIBU to think the scam may really be aimed at gaining access to children?

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

It is pretty easy to get names and addresses of children or access to them if you really want to so I don't think it was the point of this scam, although I understand your concerns.