| | Handling unwanted e-mail (spam)Published: March 9, 2004  So despite your best efforts, you have received e-mail you didn't ask for—and don't want. What can you do? First, ignore it. Second, report the people who did it. Read on to learn how you can help prevent unwanted e-mail in the future. Step 1: Ignore unwanted e-mail| • | Don't reply to e-mail asking for personal information. Most legitimate companies will not ask for personal information via e-mail. If a company you trust (e.g., your credit card company) writes to ask for personal information, call—do not write—and report it. Be sure to use a number you found yourself, either through the yellow pages, a bank statement, a bill, or other source. (Don't use a phone number provided on the e-mail.) If it's a legitimate request, the phone operator should be able to help you. 
Tip: Watch out for spoofed mail. "Spoofing" refers to duplicating a legitimate e-mail, such as a company's newsletter. These spoofed mails may be used to trick you into downloading a virus or sending personal information, such as a credit card number. When in doubt, contact the company you think sent the e-mail. | | • | Don't buy anything from a spam mail. Some spammers make their living on people's purchases of their offerings. So resist the temptation to buy their products if you don't want to take the chance of getting on more junk e-mail address lists. | | • | Never, ever contribute to a charity from spam mail. Unfortunately, some spammers prey on your good will. If you receive an appeal from a charity, treat it as spam. If it is a charity you would like to support, call them and find out how you can make a contribution. Never send your information via e-mail, however. | | • | Think twice before opening attachments, even if you know the sender. If you cannot confirm with the sender that a message is valid and that an attachment is safe, delete the message immediately, and run up-to-date antivirus software to check your computer for viruses. | | • | Don't forward chain e-mail messages. Chain mails may be hoaxes, or even a virus delivery system. Plus you lose control over who sees your e-mail address. Additionally, there are reports that spammers use chain letters to gather e-mail addresses. To check on the legitimacy of a chain letter or potential hoax, go to Hoaxbusters. |
Step 2: Report junk e-mail and its sendersGet active. Put junk e-mail senders on the defensive and report spam: | • | If you're using MSN Hotmail, report junk e-mail before you even open it. To find out how, click the Help button on the far right of the screen, and click Filters and Junk E-Mail. Then click Report junk e-mail. 
| | • | File a complaint with U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). First review the FTC tips for fighting spam, and then file your complaint. | | • | Use the Network Abuse Clearinghouse for help in forwarding your complaints to system administrators who can act on them. |
You can help reduce spam in your lifeYou may not be able to stop every piece of spam, but by refusing to respond and reporting spam violators to their ISPs, you can help reduce the hit. For more tips about reducing spam, see Fighting unwanted e-mail (spam). |
