HOW YOU CAN FIGHT SPAM AND REPORT IT!

Filtering out SPAM does not fight it because SPAMMERS will continue to send SPAM to you.  To fight SPAM, you must report it to the CORRECT administrator so that they know about it and stop them.  As stated in our SPAM POLICY, "Spam uses resources" and this affects everyone.  Many ISPs will terminate the SPAMMER's services or Block servers.  If everyone takes a few minutes to report it, then many of the Spammers efforts will be for nothing and they will hopefully stop.  Here are just a few tips that we have put together for you.

STEP 1: NEVER REPLY TO SPAM:  You will get more SPAM if you do.  You never asked for it in the first place.  They decided to put your address on their list without your permission.  If you reply, then they know they have a good address.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY THE E-MAIL:  The headers in the E-mail will tell you almost everything that you need to report spam.

• In Netscape: Choose View - Headers - All: Then forward SPAM to the correct place.
• In OUTLOOK:  Right click on the E-mail listing and choose options.  Copy the Internet Headers section and paste in at the beginning of the SPAM that you want to forward.
• EXAMPLE: It should start by looking something like this example (we removed much of the information for clarity) but should show return-path, received, etc...

Return-Path: <wenjiaxymo@singnet.com.sg>
Received: from singnet.com.sg
From: <wenjiaxymo@singnet.com.sg>

STEP 3: WHERE TO SEND THE COMPLAINT:  Most ISPs like AOL, MSN, and even free e-mail services like Hotmail have an abuse department.  If you get SPAM with HEADERS that are obviously from one of these companies, then be sure to forward the Email with ALL the headers to their abuse department.

• Junk e-mailers will often attempt to hide their true identities behind false e-mail addresses and other types of forgeries. In general, the numeric IP address (see example below) within the reported mail's headers are a much better indication of the mail's true origins.  It is best to use an IPWHOIS feature.  One is available at http://www.dnsstuff.com.
• An Example will look like this one from a person at msn should be forwarded to Abuse@MSN.com:

Return-Path: <somee-mail@msn.com>
Received: from msn.com [AN IP ADDRESS like 12.3.23.4]
From: <buckoneptmo@msn.com>

• Many Spammers are from overseas and are not subject to our laws in the United States.  The following is an example from Singapore.  Chances are that they are the ones who are sending SPAM.  Your best bet may be to report the problem to your ISP so that they can investigate or block that server.  But in this example you can try to forward it to Abuse@singnet.com.sg to see if they will stop it.  The Example:

Return-Path: <wenjiaxymo@singnet.com.sg>
Received: from singnet.com.sg
From: <wenjiaxymo@singnet.com.sg>
 

• Some Spammers try to mask their Identity:  The follow says that AOL Servers were used but you should verify the IP address and then forward it to Abuse@AOL.com and let them investigate. 

Return-Path: <7support@lycos.com>
Received: from mail.aol.com
From: 7support@lycos.com
Received:  from mail.aol.com by
X-Sender: 7support@lycos.com

• Unknown ISP?  Go to their website or use a WhoIs look to see where they are located.  Do they have a SPAM policy?  If they are an ISP, then they probably do not know that someone is sending SPAM. 

GO START FIGHTING SPAM!