Did something happen just recently that would cause this to flare up again?

I usually get this problem in batches - all my settings are set to "contacts only" and I get chat messages (NOT contact authorization requestions-actual chat windows) from people not in my contact list whom I haven't authorized. I don't care that I get contact requests from people (how else are they gonna get on my contact list?) but we really should not be receiving unauthorized chat messages when there's a privacy setting intended to block this very behaviour.

It's happened under every version of Skype for Mac OSX as far as I can remember, but it does tend to happen only in short bursts of maybe a week or two. A minor inconvenience, but something that people are always complaining about and never seems to get fixed.

I've had a few of these unauthorized chat messages in the last couple of days, so I guess it's time again! (Using the beta 2.8.0.324 version for OS X - but it's happened in previous versions, too.)

Since it only happens a handful of times for a few days every now and then, it's not the biggest deal in the world. But, when it happens, it does make me wonder what's going on that my privacy settings aren't being respected, and what else behind the scenes might not be working or might be compromised.

I would downgrade to 2.7 but I've seen someone here report the same problem, and it's happened to me in older versions, so it doesn't seem like it's a beta issue.

Is anyone else seeing this kind of activity in the last couple of days?

Not only have I ticked all the privacy boxes. I'm getting spammers adding themesevles to my contact list as if I had accepted them.
It's getting to the stage where its not worth the bullshit that goes with clearing out my contact list all the time. It doesnt even help to be offline as it seems to appear as soon as I log on anyway.

So much for the pricvacy settiugs. Anyone found a solution to this??

I too have this very annoying problem and my settings are also set to "only from contact list".

It's getting to the point where I'd rather just have Skype closed until i really need it. And then there is the hassle with blocking and reporting users all the time.

I have started to get emails stating that a user wants to contact me, so now I have to delete these from my inbox as well...

As another user said, I'm also not sure whether my privacy settings are being respected or not.

It's not easy to find alternatives to Skype, but if I could, I would...

I'm having the same issue. No matter how I set my privacy settings it accepts messages from everyone and also says I "shared my contact details" once I block them.

If you get ONE spam a day or even a month from anyone not in your contact list, then that is too much. when you set it to private contacts only, there should be no questions about it.

Skype has NO support nor anyone to even address this. They simply do not care. You'd think by blocking spammers, they would reduce the load on their servers and save money.. but heck, they can just dip into the credit cards of the many many stolen accounts and use those!

I ONLY used one account on skype now and that is only long enough period that I finally reach everyone I know and tell them to use a REAL messenger service. Heck IRC has improved over Skype now! Now THAT is sad!

Did something happen just recently that would cause this to flare up again?

I usually get this problem in batches - all my settings are set to "contacts only" and I get chat messages from people not in my contact list whom I haven't authorized.

It's happened under every version of Skype for Mac OSX as far as I can remember,
I would downgrade to 2.7 but I've seen someone here report the same problem, and it's happened to me in older versions, so it doesn't seem like it's a beta issue.

Is anyone else seeing this kind of activity in the last couple of days?

Same here, a spate of messages over the last three days, usually in sets of several identical spams. I'm using 2.7 but have tried the beta - it's helpful(but sad) to know the problem occurs on that too. I've locked out non-contact messages as you have, but it doesn't help me either. I'm running OSX 10.4.11, for what it may be worth.

The same problem here and it is getting particularly worse in the last few days. I have my privacy setting checked properly, but the spammers were able to find a way to add themselves into my contact list without my approval and then sent a batch of spam messages. I constantly blocked the person and reported them as spammers, but so far no improvement. I am using Skype 4.1.0.136 on a windows XP SP3 system.

Sarah..i have same issues also on my mac and not only has it come in batches but i notice that whenever i click INFO for some new contact request, they all have had the same birthday tho they have numerous Identities here on skype! GRR.. why does skype not block IP addresses with multiple accts?

Today I received a long chat message as a WARNING saying skype had scanned my computer and found a number of dangerous viruses even stating what path they were found on in my computer. It went on with a live link urging me to go there to remove it it... It claimed also to have found this on "my WINDOWS system" WHICH BTW IS A MAC so I don't have to bother with virus problems.

I went on to search under kype users for the name of this sender...I FOUND 20 identities all of the same user simply appended with an ascending number, "scan.alert.xax1", "scan.alert.xax2" etc.

I AM FURIOUS as I can not even REPORT them as the skype guide SAYS i can "by clicking on 'report user' which is offered when i block a user".
What crap and i am tired of mac versions not working the way they are said to . I also for some reason am now unable to send contacts to friends... it offers me the same old options and steps but when i click on SEND my friend at the other end NEVER receives it or is not shown an alert to accept. What gives...

I too am sick of the spam or the constant chat requests from x-rated user names. Skype does too little or NOTHING to monitor this problem which is clearly a TOS violation!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did something happen just recently that would cause this to flare up again?

I usually get this problem in batches - all my settings are set to "contacts only" and I get chat messages (NOT contact authorization requestions-actual chat windows) from people not in my contact list whom I haven't authorized. I don't care that I get contact requests from people (how else are they gonna get on my contact list?) but we really should not be receiving unauthorized chat messages when there's a privacy setting intended to block this very behaviour.

It's happened under every version of Skype for Mac OSX as far as I can remember, but it does tend to happen only in short bursts of maybe a week or two. A minor inconvenience, but something that people are always complaining about and never seems to get fixed.

I've had a few of these unauthorized chat messages in the last couple of days, so I guess it's time again! (Using the beta 2.8.0.324 version for OS X - but it's happened in previous versions, too.)

Since it only happens a handful of times for a few days every now and then, it's not the biggest deal in the world. But, when it happens, it does make me wonder what's going on that my privacy settings aren't being respected, and what else behind the scenes might not be working or might be compromised.

I would downgrade to 2.7 but I've seen someone here report the same problem, and it's happened to me in older versions, so it doesn't seem like it's a beta issue.

Is anyone else seeing this kind of activity in the last couple of days?

One more vote that Skype doesn't work correctly. All my settings require contact list membership to reach me, but I am now getting 1-2 spims per day. Clearly privacy settings is broken. Does Skype pay any attention to these forums, or are they just for unhappy customers to complain to each other?

I'm using 4.1.0.136 on Windows XP.

Skype isn't the only thing with spam, I get it as well, same withe MSN, and yahoo. I just block/ignore them.

I have recently had two instances of new names being added to my contacts list without my knowledge, even though I had set my privacy settings so that only people already on my contact list should have been able to contact me. When I bar these unsolicted contacts, it comes back with a message to the effect that I have requested contact with them. Re-checking my privacy settings, I was unhappy to note that not only have these hackers been able to add theselves to my list, but also tamper with my privacy settings to allow contact from anyone. I suppose I'll have to reset my privacy settings every time I open skype from now on.

....and just as I finished typing the above, yet another spammer appeared on my contact list - this time, I know the privacy settings were correct! There's clearly a bug.

I rolled back to skype 3.8.
I'm not into skype 4.
spammers keep jumpin into my space even with the highest security settings in place.

I searched google for skype 3.8 download and
I downloaded it from the brothersoft download site

Skype can easily fix this. Every message received should have a "stinger" button which says click me if this is a Spam Message.

If a single user gets more than 5 "stings" to their account it should be suspended for a day. Multiple "stings" should bar the IP address for a month.


Note - only download your software from a known site. Dodgy sites could mean the software contains malware.

This post has been edited by oaksys: Sat Aug 1 2009, 19:15

I get these on a weekly basis.

Skype, if you are reading this, please make the spamming STOP!

I get many of these a day: "xxx person added you to their contact list." It takes time and effort to click block and report for each. I don't have that time or effort. I will stop paying for Skype and start using GizmoProject if Skype does not fix this issue.

I don't CARE who added me to their contact list. I don't need to know that. Frankly, I don't WANT to know who added me to their contact list.
If Skype removes this "feature", then the issue will go away.

Other readers: Do YOU get a text message every time someone adds your cell phone number to their phone?

Skype, get on this. A lot of people are waiting to see what you will do with this. Use this as your opportunity to become an industry leader by preventing spam.

Thoroughly fed up with Skype! Was fine for first few years, now getting "garbage" calls and to make things worse ... According to my account information; My "subscription" is paid/active to January 31, 2010 yet my credit card was just hit for payment. I cancelled my subscription and requested a refund...Finally did received email confirming subscription cancelled AS OF JUNE, 2010!!!???

Here is what Skype sent me...[/color]

We are sorry to hear that you will no longer be using our subscription service. We hope you enjoyed using it.

Your subscription will terminate at the end of the current billing period, which is on Jun 2, 2010
Possible reasons why your subscription was cancelled are:
1. You cancelled the subscription yourself.
2. You are using PayPal for your subscription payments, and either the credit card linked with your PayPal account is no longer valid (for example, it has expired), or you have cancelled your billing agreement with Skype on the PayPal website.

No further payments for the service will be charged until you pay for a new order.

Talk soon,

The people at Skype[color="#4169E1"]


For a frustrating exercise in futility try contacting customer service and/or cancelling Skype!! I can't get rid of Skype subscription nor am I holding my breath for a refund....I can however, and have, cancelled the credit card and guess the only other thing to do is uninstall it from my computer as soon as replace with another provider of this service and notify everyone on my contact list.

I log in today and got some 32 contact request spams. All at once like a bullet to the face. It took longer for me to block all of them then it probably took them to send it. Even when blocking 3 more show up not moments later. Its like using MSN/AOL all over again.

This post has been edited by JedediahJ: Sat Aug 15 2009, 04:07

I'm not at all happy about spam, and it's happening far too often. Is Skype actually doing anything about it? I've set my security settings so that only my own contact list can send me messages but Spam still comes through because they just send the spam as part of the message for adding to contacts - this of course you can't block until you've received the spam.

What's even worse is that this morning I've had a VIRUS try to come through on Skype, apparently from one of my friends!

Not impressed Skype, not at all impressed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/Jed...een-capture.png

Seriously. This is just from logging in this morning. I get 10 more through out the span of the day.

i started to get dozens of the spam messages as JedediahJ posted after i upgraded skype. all my settings in the skype are set to prevent such messages

it's obvious problem with the skype software itself.
ridiculous replies from techs shows what a joke this service is and how it's vulnerable to hackers. i'd advice everybody to watch their credit cards statements that they have on skype

they just blame users... this situation should be publicized and be all over on the internet so ebay stocks will go down.

if somebody will come up with an alternative i'll switch immediately. ebay simply cannot handle anything: auctions, half.com and skype are overpaid services without any customer support. i really wish they'll go down so somebody else who knows how to do business will buy them

This post has been edited by serffv: Sun Aug 16 2009, 17:38