I posted a link to an ATON survey being held by the CG. Someone immediately assumed it was spam. It was deleted. Not everything is spam. I don't post SPAM, I do my homework. A little research on the moderator(s) part would have helped. https://www.professionalmariner.com/coast-guard-asks-mariners-to-help-with-aton-survey/ The survey is now closed, I suspect due to it's popularity after making the rounds on the various marine forums. My voice was heard.
I didn't say it was spam. I asked if it might be an attempt at phishing for emails based on the opening page. A question not a conclusion. From what I read on the opening page I wasn't going to click on without knowing.
In that case it should have had the CG emblem and header. Taking surveys is a great way to a full inbox.
Surveymonkey is a tool, the survey is set up by the client, in this case the USCG. The data only went to the USCG. They already have your email.
While I do believe the USCG set it up, you can't actually be sure of that. Is there anything on their website indicating they did?
I disagree. SM is free for users, which means they sell information. The disclosure you posted from their website tells all... I don't know which of our mods deleted the thread, but I would have deleted it too. We don't permit surveys on YF or redirecting traffic to other sites that can benefit. BTW Oscar, I didn't see the original post, but as one of our senior members we know you wouldn't spam YF.
Thanks. This survey was designed by the government to solicit input from the water way users (that's us) and the collected data could possibly affect regulatory changes which in turn would affect us. I thought it was relevant and that WE were the ones that could possibly benefit. Still maintain the baby was thrown out with the bathwater. I'll leave it at that. We move on.
It is relevant and you're free to defend it. However, you've still not submitted one piece of evidence that it actually came from the USCG. Nothing from their site. Carl can relate to you I'm sure how many false releases he receives and the one that Professional Mariner received could have been one. You state so firmly that it was "designed by the government" and I believe it was, but neither you nor I have any proof of that. That said, I have no problem answering a survey if it doesn't require me to identify myself.
Be cautious of the on line surveys even if they don't openly ask your identity. They could be "phishing" for all your personal info while you're answering their questions. Just saying ....