recs

traditionally recs have been written by alum who know you personally, not by some ladies you found online and emailed.
mecs don't really mean as much as they once did either, they're just kind of like an extra bonus. recs give you a very slight competitive edge during rush because it shows the houses that you're legitimately serious. recs now a days just help weave girls out.

You're right. It's ridiculous to get a rec from someone who doesn't know you.
If that's what you have to do, though, try to come up with someone you both know. If I don't know a girl, I'll look at where she goes to school, or church, or if she's involved in something like dance. I might have a friend who teaches at her school, or goes to her church, or whose daughter takes dance with her. Then I'll check with my friend - if she can vouch for the PNM, then I'll sign.