Google Referral Program Invatation

something seems fishy

[blasto333]

I applied for information awhile ago about the google referral program. Today I got an email from google telling me that I have been accepted.

The subject of the email was:

Google Referral Progam
(notice that Program is spelled incorrectly).

Then it says something that you have be invited to the Google Referral Program and please respond to this email if you accept the invitation and include any questions you might have. So I did.

Then I got another email back saying it will take 5-10 business days to setup the referral link in the meantime fill out the attached forms and fax them. (partner finance letter and a W-9 tax form.)

This seems very un-goggle like and seems like a scam or something to fax important info such as my bank name, account number, W9 form... I am not sure if I want to fax this stuff. It is also odd that he responds almost instantly to my emails and it is way past normal business hours (9:30 pm). The fax number has a 650 area code.

Does this seem fishy to anyone else? Also has anyone been accepted into the google referral program and gone through a similar process?

(Maybe I am being a bit too cautions, but I got caught with one of those ebay scams and have been careful ever since.)

[hunderdown]

What IS the Google Referral program? I've never heard of it. Is there information posted on the Google site about it? If not, this sounds like phishing to me.

[Jenstar]

It is a legitimate program, and they did just begin accepting people yesterday.

Did the original email come from a google IP? Did you reply to an actual @google.com address? I know 650 is the right area code. Maybe try reverse lookup on the number.

Or you could try emailing AdSense or Adwords support and ask for a confirmation that is all is fine.

[mipapage]

Funny, I came here because I too was wondering what was up with this.

I'm not US based, they should know this, yet they ask me to fill out forms that would seem to be for US residents.

And the spelling mistake....

[Frequent]

Call G$ and ask if that's a valid fax number for them.

I'm not sure if I'm glad or upset that I haven't gotten my acceptance email yet.

I'll definately have to watch this thread in case I (eventually) get one of the same.

Freq---

[tebrino]

Did you check e-mail headers?

[blasto333]

The headers seem to be valid, from vegeta.corp.google.com.

I don't think I am going to do the program anyways because they are image based ads and would take up a lot of space on my site.

[Jenstar]

They do offer text link versions in addition to their banner ads (at least to some of their affiliates).

[AdSenseAdvisor]

These e-mails are indeed from Google. Rest assured that any financial and personal information will treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.

The referral program is still in an invitation-only mode and as such, each invitation / application is being personally handled (with the occasional email typo) :) and yes, you might have received a few e-mails past working hours, but that's only because we're trying to get back to you promptly.

For the rest of the folks who expressed interest, we have received your requests and created a list of interested candidates; you'll be the first to know about future programs.

Thanks very much for your interest in the referral program - we appreciate your interest and enthusiasm!.

ASA

[blasto333]

Thanks for clearning this up and I am sorry for being over cautions.

Thanks Adsense Advisor,

Chris