Internet spammer can't take what he dishes out

The Detroit Free Press ^ | December 6, 2002 | MIKE WENDLAND

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[weegee]

Should be able to filter out all off-shore email (Don't know if it is possible in any newsreader but we should be able to scope out IP addresses).

[DAnconia55]

Even a hardcore Libertarian could not object to anti-spam legislation that permitted anyone to send anything they want, but only if they identify unsolicited bulk mailings with a code in then header to enable filtering

I object.

Is your junk mail in your mailbox identified so?

[Timesink]

Even a hardcore Libertarian could not object to anti-spam legislation that permitted anyone to send anything they want, but only if they identify unsolicited bulk mailings with a code in then header to enable filtering. A simple requirement to provide accurate consumer information.

Wouldn't work. They'd just move their servers to Canada or the Caribbean.

The only solution that would even slightly work would be to extend the "junk fax" law to cover spam as well. That would, of course, have the same problem as your suggestion, but at least it would FORCE the people involved to move out of the US or face unlimited class-action lawsuits, and also force (if written correctly) all major Net backbones to cut off access to the IP addresses of all spammers no matter where in the world they come from.

[dinodino]

That wouldn't work either. There are tons of junk fax operators working out of the U.S. I get a number of them a week on my office fax, despite the fact that they are illegal in most States.

[BJungNan]

One way you can help is to call the people that have sent you the junk fax or junk email. Many of these companies do not realize what they are doing. They need a call from you to open their eyes.

A saleman came by and sold them the idea of cheap adverstising, told them the people being contacted have asked to be contacted. The people buying the advertising just never stopped to think how illogical this is that someone would actually want an unsolicited ad from them.

So what do you say when you call? You berate them. Be nasty, rude, hostile, vulgar. Sound as mad as you possibly can. Don't make personal threats. But definately lay into them.

If they hang up, call back and ask to speak to a manager.

Talk calmly and rational to the manager if you get him. Completely shift gears. Don't admit to being rude or hostile. Tell him you would never act like that. You just would like his help.

Tell him you want removed. He will make an excuse that it is the company he contracted with for the advertising and that you need to contact them. Remind him that he is the one that sent you the ad, then tell him you will hold while he calls that company. Be a very nice, persistant pest and tie up as much of his time - nicely - as you can.

If he hangs up, call back and innocently say, Gee, we must have got cut off, were you able to get a hold of that company. I'll continue to hold.

If they get calls like these, they will get the message. You have to fight back.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Ok, we can't post his address in here - how about his GPS coords???

[thulldud]

Ok, we can't post his address in here - how about his GPS coords???

You mean, like, latitude, longitude, and target elevation?

</me begins dusting off war surplus nuke (mailordered from Kazakhstan!)>

[Tennessee_Bob]

Decimal Degrees
Lat: 42.536079
Lon: -083.431529
Deg:Min:Sec
Lat: 42:32:9.884N
Lon: 83:25:53.504W

[steve-b]

Somebody call the WAAAAAmbulance!

[steve-b]

Is your junk mail in your mailbox identified so?

Indeed it is. Subsidy-rate junk mail stamps are obviously distinguishable from normal first-class ones.

[Brad C.]

Bump for later reading.