Just wanted to clarify the direct emails. When you sign up to NAFC, you provide your email address. This is used only by us - no one else ever has access to it. It is used to send automated messages when a new post goes up, someone replies to one of your posts, or when someone sends a private message through the forums. When someone does send a private message, they are not able to see the email address to whom they are sending. So your email addresses are not being shared. But likely, this company who recently sent out the messages went into various threads and just started sending direct mail messages to everyone individually. (You can send a direct mail message to anyone by clicking on the little envelope by their username.)
I am sorry for the hassle and confusion this individual caused. We have banned this user so you should not continue to receive any emails from him. Please continue to reach out with any questions or concerns.
As an aside, you are also always able to change your email settings if you'd rather not receive email alerts for the various activities I mentioned above. Just click your profile picture at the top of the screen and click "profile and settings". Then look for the "Email Alerts" section. If you want to receive the email alerts for the activity listed, it should show a green checkmark. If you'd rather not receive those specific email alerts, just click it and it should then show a red circle with a dash through the middle. Note that when you log in to the forums, you still may have received a private message from anyone else on the forum - that alert would just not have been sent to your personal email account.
Thanks,
Sarah
