Referrals without having to give out your personal information

[Crackmacs]

Hi

I could refer many different people to Public Mobile, if I were able to do it in a way that doesn't require me giving out my phone number or other personal information. 

Would love to see some kind of referral code that could be given out, something random (XGRBJUVX) or something specific (Crackmacs), kind of what like Uber has. I really don't see a downside to referring people that aren't close personal friends, so long as they pay their bill ahead of using the service - which is the whole idea with PM.

Please implement that.

ktnx

[will13am]

This is not a bad idea.  Fido uses referral codes.  However their system requires that you enter the name and phone number of the person being referred so the referral system can link the generated referral code to a future customer. So it doesn't alleviate the privacy issue.  That said, I have had no issues with the way Public Mobile uses my phone number and the phone numbers of those who I referred to do the referral rewards.  Having someone's phone number on it's own is of negligible privacy risk.  

BTW, if you are genuinely concerned, I would be happy to private message my phone number to you so you can use it to do the referrals.  I can use some more rewards.  

[Crackmacs]

However their system requires that you enter the name and phone number of the person being referred so the referral system can link the generated referral code to a future customer.

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Ohh that could work. I have this social media following in Calgary that would be very interested in joining PM the next time one of the sweet 12gb/3mo type deals roll around, but there's no way I'd ever give my phone number out to so many people. Though.. I'm not sure how willing people would be to give me their info to pass on? Since they would get no benefit from it. Maybe they would. I've had like 20 people ask me for my referral info when signing up (I wrote a blog post about PM, and over Twitter and such) but I haven't been able to take advantage of that. Kind of annoying. 

For now I just use a buddies number because he doesn't give a crap about handing his number out haha, thanks though. 

I can understand the risk if this were a use service first then pay system, but people are paying up front, so I can't see a downside to referring strangers, essentially. Imagine the people that have those HUGE followings, they'd be able to recruit soooo many. 

[Shutdown]

How about a referral code+the PM forum account then? Not your actual email.

[kav2001c]

@Crackmacs I prefer referal systems that require personal info because it cuts down on fraud

Otherwise I could post my user code ABCDEF on my website and get hundreds of referals

I already have 13 active referals (and more who unfortunately left deciding Public was not for them)

[Crackmacs]

@kav2001c please explain how it prevents fraud by requiring a phone number when referring someone?

Also, what's wrong with you getting hundreds of referrals? How are referrals bad for Public Mobile?

Any person can order a SIM and sign up using made up credentials. Don't even need to use a credit card to pay for it, can just buy vouchers from one of the Public Mobile vendors. In addition, with Public Mobile you have to pre-pay for your service. There is literally no way to use the service without paying for it first. 

Thanks. 

[kav2001c]

@Crackmacs because a random code can be abused (not a real referal)

One needs only look at other message boards to see as an example people trading Fido refers for cash

At the very least forcing a phone number there is less chance for abuse as most people will not give a random stranger their cell phone number

I know the system in place can be circumvented quite easily with a bit of thought but it is better than nothing

The entire reason Public is offering to pay for referals is that it is cheaper than advertising

[Crackmacs]

@kav2001c I still don't see how a referral code referral vs a regular referral can be abused? 

because a random code can be abused (not a real referal)

Abused how? That doesn't make any sense.

At the very least forcing a phone number there is less chance for abuse as most people will not give a random stranger their cell phone number

This doesn't make any sense either. What abuse? How can someone possibly abuse the service? By using it? You can't even go over your limit of data for example, it cuts the service off at 100%. Please explain.

The service provided by Public Mobile would be identical for either a referral by phone number, or by a code. Anyone who signs up using a referral of either case, would be able to use the service the same way. Why does it matter how someone signs up? It doesn't. A customer is a customer. The service is pre-paid. Whether they use it or not is irrelevant to Public Mobile. 

@kav2001c: I prefer referal systems that require personal info because it cuts down on fraud

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You neglected to explain how someone could commit fraud by signing up using a random referral code vs a phone number. Please elaborate.

Thanks.

[stonechucker]

I would prefer to see a referal system where I can specify an email address or cellular phone number to Public Mobile, and they forward that communication to the third party to 'accept' or 'reject' the offer to join.

I would provide my name and email / number in the process to notify my friend / family / associate, so that they are aware it's not an out of the blue spammy offer, but a legitimate offer coming from someone they know.

I'd also like to have the ability to allow my credit card to pay for the inital $5 fee on the SIM card.  This would need the ability to also send a verifying request back to me to allow/reject the payment, incase someone has forwarded my offer to another person without my authorization.  I'm happy to fund 1 or 2 people the money for the SIM, but I'm not gong to fund 100s.

[kav2001c]

@Crackmacs you seem to be misreading the posts

The abuse is referring to abuse of the referal system itself

Not abuse of the monthly service

[Crackmacs]

@kav2001c you haven't been clear on what you're stating. You specifically mentioned people committing fraud. 

The abuse is referring to abuse of the referal system itself

Please explain. How would someone signing up using a non-phone number based code referral system be abused? Why would it matter how someone was referred to the service? 

What I think you're saying is that if someone is referred to Public Mobile by a stranger, this is somehow abusive over someone that was referred to Public Mobile by someone they know. Which makes no sense to me, so perhaps that's not it. 

Would love if you could give some detail.