FAQs About Parry Aftab
Q: I see Parry on TV all the time and want to let her know how much I appreciate her work.
A: She would love to hear from you. Send an email to Parry@Aftab.com and include “your TV appearance” in the subject line to make sure she receives it. She isn’t able to respond to all emails she receives, but she reads each and every one marked this way.
Q: I need Parry’s legal help on a case. I am the litigant, not a lawyer.
A: Parry no longer takes individual clients. She provides help to consumers through her charity, WiredSafety and advises the industry through her consulting firm, WiredTrust or in legal capacity. You can see what services she provides in her “” section of Aftab.com.
She also cannot refer you to other lawyers who might be able to help. Check the Internet or call your state bar association, asking for lawyers in your area with expertise in the area you need.
Q: I’ve heard there is a trick to sending Parry an email and getting an answer.
A: Parry gets more than a thousand emails a day from people seeking her help. She still reads them all (but that may change as the amount of email increases). The shorter, the better. Don’t explain your entire life’s history or “he said, she said.” She is very experienced in cybercrime and abuses and understands how things work. Give her the essentials, nothing else. This makes it more likely that she can address your concern and understand your needs better. (to learn more...)
Q: I sent Parry a very long email with lots of details and I got back an answer with “use Facebook’s report abuse button.” I expected more.
A: Because of the amount of email Parry receives every day, she has two choices – not read them or answer them quickly. For as long as she can, Parry hopes to continue to read every email. She thinks that if someone has taken the time to write her, she should read what they wrote. But no matter how long your email is, her answer is generally no more than a few words. Sometimes it is only a :), but know that she read the entire email.
If she thinks that the best way to handle your problem is report it to Facebook using their new report abuse system, that’s your answer. She sacrifices the “friendly chat” to being able to answer more emails and help more people.
Q: Does Parry read and answer her own emails, or does someone do that for her?
A: Parry reads all of her own emails. She answers them herself too, unless the answer is better coming from someone else. Note, though, that your emails are not considered private or confidential and others may read them or respond to them.
You can always tell that Parry has personally answered your email because the spelling and typos are her calling card. :)
If you don’t receive a reply, she didn't get your email. Please resend it using Parry@Aftab.com.
Q: How can Parry handle as many emails as she gets?
A: It’s getting harder each and every day. But, according to Parry, she has no life. (She’s also married to a very patient and kind child safety advocate from Canada who believes in her work.)
Q: I sent Parry an email and asked her five questions. She sent me back a reply saying "yes." What does that mean?
A: It means the answer to your last question is "yes." Parry only answers the last question in any email (not on purpose though.) Those who know her best include only on question per email and keep the email short.
Q: If I don't understand Parry's reply, what should I do?
A: Contact any certified “Parry translator” at WiredSafety or at WiredTrust. :)
Q: I sent Parry an email and she responded, but when I followed up, she didn't remember our correspondence. What should I do?
A: Parry reads and responds to a thousand e-mails a day, and can't remember all of them without a reminder. Make sure you include a copy of prior correspondence in the text of your email. Parry will remember the communication once she sees that.
Q: I sent Parry an attachment and she never opened it!
A: Parry doesn't open attachments sent to her unless she is expecting them from that sender. Given the number of emails Parry has to read each day, it's best to include the attachment in the text of the email itself, if you want her to review it quickly.
Q: I sent Parry an email that I have also sent to the FBI and other safety experts. She never replied!
A: She won’t. If you are reaching out to lots of safety and law enforcement groups, Parry will assume that 1. You don’t need her special help, and 2. Someone else will help you. If you pull a fire alarm, only one fire house will respond.
Q: I sent Parry an email and someone else replied.
A: Parry reads each email sent to her. She also personally replies to each, unless the reply is more complete or better coming from someone else. For example, if someone emails her to report a problem site, she may just forward it to WiredSafety team directors for review and to reply.
Q: I asked Parry a question and she replied to someone else, copying me. Why?
A: Sometimes they best way to respond is to connect you with the person who can take it to the next step or help you better. She is making a cyber-introduction. She will copy the other person on her reply, introducing you and the person you should be working with. Sometimes she will copy her assistant asking her to send something to you that you need. Make sure you “reply all” when replying, to include that other person.
Q: Parry seems to be a very busy woman who gets a lot of email; I hate to bother her.
A: Don't listen to anyone who tells you not to bother her with an email unless it's Parry herself. Parry welcomes hearing from you. She hates chain e-mails and jokes that are forwarded, since it takes up so much time, though. If you don't get a reply, she didn't get your email.
Q: I need a quick legal opinion from Parry. It should be something she can answer from the top of her head.
A: Parry will not respond to any emails asking for legal advice. She does not render legal advice to anyone other than clients who have signed a retainer agreement and by whom she has been engaged formally. Note, in addition to not providing a response, Parry reserves the right to share emails with third parties if she believes safety is impacted. (Read the privacy policy for exact details.) So, your email and the information you have shared is not confidential.