Genealogy Chat

I can't understand the paranoia that an obviously legitimate e-mail about a minor change to align user names in Ancestry and RootsWeb can cause. If you don't post messages in RootsWeb or Ancestry then it has no effect on you. If you are a member of the Ancestry or RootsWeb boards, your displayed e-mail address is 'pixellated' so that it cannot be read by automatic systems. This e-mail from Ancestry has absolutely no bearing on your subscription to Ancestry or your credit card details. I could not find anything remotely illegitimate with the message and believe me I take Internet security very seriously. Paul

I haven't received one and I usually receive E-mails re updates etc. I can't take rejection boo hoo. Pat

I ignored it and sent it to 'spam' So now what do I do? Wait??

Hello, Just to add reassurance to everyone. I got the email from ancestry to and followed the links and changed my details. I then logged on here and thought maybe I shouldn't have. I contacted ancestry and the email is legit, it is from them. I also got the email on an email account I don't use much anymore. So it sounds like they are contacting anyone who somehow has had their email registered with them or rootsweb. Toni

Thanks Snowdrops for everything you have done to try and clear this matter up..I am sure that i can speak for many by saying we are truly grateful... Best Wishes Kate :)

Thanks Snowdrops for your effort on our behalf. I had the email a few days ago but ignored it as I've never posted on their message boards, only sent in corrections, but at least it's nice to know it's legit. Jennie

Well done Snowdrops! Perhaps in future they won't tell people that they have done something (posted on their boards) when said people know very well that they haven't. Then we shall be less likely to suspect phishing. For my part, I am sorry if I have alarmed anyone unneccesarily. I meant well. Roger

I really don't think you need to worry about this. I'm sure it is just part of the changes they are doing to their message boards, and I am pretty sure that when the changes are brought in you will have the facility to hide your email address. But if you don't, then just don't post on their message boards! Kate.

Sorry to sound thick! but does this mean we should change our screen names! I have never posted on ancestry.....or actually got an account there, or done a trial! BUT I did register+ have received the e-mail too. Could someone hack into my computer from just having my aol screen name + my hotmail account name? Many thanks a Confused Ann :(

I think that the problem now with phishing is that crooks realise that they cannot get full info from a single source and build profiles - starting with the last 4 digits / an email address etc. This is then used for a contact to the bank to maybe get another snippet etc... Database programs allow them to match all the bits they get to go after likely marks. Essentially ignore anyone asking for personal details unless you have initiated first contact. If not sure, ignore the link and log in independantly to any site and see whether a message has been posted against your account. If not - it's a scam. Take care! Kevin

I had the e-mail you are on about from Ancestry yesterday. When I got it I changed my username.Then when I read all your concerns last night I thought, oooops maybe I shouldn't have done that. Tonight tried to get onto Ancestry but couldn't, until I tried putting my new username in. Chris

Thanks again Snowdrops, for your efforts to get to the bottom of this. Ancestry's silence is difficult to understand - one would have expected either reassurance that the email is genuine, or some steps to warn their members that it is not. Without either one can only wonder what is really going on... Roger

Georgina, I did speak to someone yesterday who knew nothing about it and she suggested I email their technical services manager enclosing said email, which I did. Still had no response. Snowdrops

Snowdrops, I have telephoned Ancestry before on a freephone number (which at the moment I cant find) you would probably get a better response by talking to someone. Georgina.

I'm sorry to say that after 26 hours there has still been no response from Ancestry. Don't really know what to think!! Should we all flood them with enquiries and perhaps then they'll respond or should we all just delete and/or take no notice? Oh well, I tried. Snowdrops ~~~~~~~~~ Received at 23.38 14 June We appreciate your message. We apologize for any confusion. Yes the email is legitimate. It is regarding the change of our Message Boards on Ancestry. If there is anything else with which we might assist you, please let us know. ~~~~Justin Member Solutions Ancestry.co.uk ~~~~~~ So there you have it!!!!! ~~~~ Snowdrops