Someone mistyped an email address – probably leaving out a middle initial – and it ended up in my in box. This happens often.

This email, from a wireless service provider, contains this text

IMPORTANT – This email message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, subject to any confidentiality agreements and exempt from disclosure subject to any confidentiality agreements or under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that we do not consent to any reading, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email message. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email, delete this email, delete the transmitted information and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this information by a person other than the intended recipient is unauthorized and may be illegal. Violators may be prosecuted.

This is legally invalid and you do not need to be a lawyer to understand the problem.

Neither you nor I can send emails to random strangers on the Internet obligating them to do something without their consent. I have not consented to any agreement with this wireless carrier.

I will reply by letting them know that if they are the intended recipient of my reply, they owe me $1,000, to be paid within 7 business days. I mean, why not?

Coldstreams