Update 20020806: Note that 800 number owners can see what number you call from, using a system called Automatic Number Identification (ANI). As Amy Campbell pointed out to me via email, "It is not possible to disable the sending of your phone number to toll-free numbers with either complete (per-line) or selective (per-call) caller ID blocking services." Thanks, Amy. So a) don't do anything illegal, immoral or fattening over your phone line which could cause even a spammer to bring complaint against you and b) use a payphone if you suspect that the spammer ethical blackhole extends to abuse of such captured numbers.

Yes, I'd like to see some spammers get jail time.

I am lumping together here spam sent by marketers to gather valid email addresses, unsolicited newsletters and other materials from otherwise normal businesses, and junk mail sent by viruses like Sircam -- as far as I'm concerned, they're about the same in usefulness, pleasantry, etc. Yes, I'd like to see some spammers get jail time.

On this page, at present, I plan to list here just a few spammers -- ones whose spam includes toll-free numbers, so you can let them know how you feel about their obnoxious behavior. Until they're jail time, there's trunabout as fair play.

Generally I add spammers to my filters as well, but I want them here too because relying on filters is a short-term solution and ignores the real problem: spammers should not be comfortable in their spamming. It should not be the responsibility of the recipient to block, but rather the responsibility of the spammer to demonstrate actual interest on the part of the recipient. Otherwise (and I can vouch that this is possible), unverified signups can be used to harass and annoy, simply by signing your victim up for multiple mailing lists. Yay.

Yes, I'd like to see some spammers get jailtime. You'll note that many of the world's spammers use (or at least pretend to use) addresses from the various free email address companies, like yahoo.com, hotmail.com and excite.com. Sending spam is naturally against their Terms of Service agreements, but usually these addresses aren't real anyhow. Occasionally they are, though, and the issuers have pulled a few upon my spam complaints. That doesn't stop a spammer, but I hope it makes their day a little bleaker.

Interesting Disclaimers

Well, not so funny is that addding the portugese version of one of these disclaimers to my filters ended up costing me a bunch of saved email. (Note: always use a test folder for new spam filters, lesson learned.)

I'll try to gather at least a couple of these silly, self-contradictory dislaimers here, but only if the spammer has a telephone number. Even if it's not toll free, you might find some local to you.

Spamxerpts

"We collect Child Support! s/10 Do you or someone you know have delinquent child support payments? We have strong interest in uncollected Child Support in your City and Area. CSR is the largest firm in the world specializing in the Collection of Child Support. Currently we are processing over millions of dollars worth of Child Support in the United States alone. We have associate offices in virtually every city in the US and in most foreign countries. Let us help you collect what your children are due! Contact us now for more information. You have absolutely nothing to lose!!!! (REMEMBER THE INITIAL CONSULTATION IS FREE) Please call 1 877 306 6599 8am to 5pm CST Mon-Sat. Consultants are waiting for your call ...

I figure the "consultants" (so far, it's only been an answering machine prompting for a callback) don't need to have the details of my child support over the phone, so I just left my number. Guess I should keep calling back though, early and often, until I reach a live person.

RECEIVE ALL YOUR CABLE/DIGITAL TV CHANNELS TODAY!!! 1-888-699-0081
(received from From erik9176tu@hotmail.com Mon Oct 1 09:41:53 2001)

With our NEW GLOBAL 2600 Cable Converter/Decoder! Get all your favorite premium channels like HBO, Spice, Cinemax, ESPN PayPer View Etc... Never miss another T.V show again! The GLOBAL 2600 works on 99% of all cable system coast to coast! You will never have to rent or buy another cable box again! 100% Bulletproof! Meaning it will never get deprogrammed! Comes with remote and patch cable cords and has all the great features any cable box would ever have including, Parent Control, Fine Tuning Sleep Timer on the remote etc... Takes less then five minuets to install replacing your existing box, anyone can do it. We are so sure that you will love our product that it comes with a 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Global 2600 CABLE CONVERTER/DECODER Now On Sale Now For A Limited $339.00. Includes FedEx 2-Day COD delivery! Call 1-888-699-0081 to speak to a sales rep. today! This ad is sent in accordence with all applicable laws to be removed type "NotCable" in the subject line and sent to : CB2600@excite.com RECEIVE ALL YOUR CABLE/DIGITAL TV CHANNELS TODAY!!! 1-888-699-0081"

Well, they list the number three times, so I guess that's how often they want you to call. However (surprise, surprise), this also reaches only an answering machine. However number two, the voice mail system there can't take voice messages, only numeric ones.

And it doesn't even look like their scam price is very good -- a google search revealed prices around half what this email offered.

Update 20011002 I just reached a live person! WooHoo! This place is in San Jose, CA, said the telephone droid I reached -- so if you're a California resident and get this spam, I encourage you to pass it on to your attorney general's office and office of consumer affairs.

Are You Paying Too Much For Long Distance? -- 888-283-0888
(Received from FreeLongDistance12@excite.com Wed Oct 3 09:47:47 2001)

(This one has a reply address listed of Reply-To: FreeLD753@excite.com, so I have passed the spam on to the abuse people at excite.com as well. Also, includes the "click here" opt-out trick, which does not work even on the off chance that it's a legit opt-out for those on a text-only mail reader. Lovely, spam from people that sell telemarketing lines.)

"We'll activate your Flat Rate Unlimited Long Distance Service for 1 week FREE* to prove you that the quality of service is what you expect. Call now! Operators standing by to activate your service. Call Now: 888-283-0888 Operators Standing by.. Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm EDT Also available: 3 Way Calling, Fax Blasting, Telemarketing Lines & International. If you think, that you will not benefit from this correspondence, please click here."

A call to FreeLong Distance12 got me two hang-ups. On call #2, I recognized the voice, and I asked if it was the same guy who'd just hung up on me. "Did I hang up on you?" he asked, "No, I did not hang up on you." The inability to tell the truth just runs through these operations. If you're interested in long distance plans, I urge you to consider giving them a call. Refused to disclose which company sold his company their inferior spam list, had no comment on the fact that excite's policy forbids spam despite the two excite addresses used in the come-on.

New Specialty Lists - {NPR, Film, Environmental, African-American} -- 888-330-4919.
(received from PublicityWorks@netscape.net Sun Oct 7 22:07:51 2001)

"REACH EFFECTIVE MEDIA CONTACTS FOR A FRACTION OF WHAT OTHERS CHARGE. ... "SPECIAL OFFER: Order the Radio, Newspaper, and National lists for $149 AND we'll include the list of college newspapers at no extra charge. That's a total value of $266 for only $149. (LIMITED TIME)" ... Call 888-330-4919 to place your order (24hrs). You will be able to download your lists WITHIN MINUTES of placing your order. ... All of our lists include the contact's name, company, position, address, phone, fax and email address (when available). You can receive your lists in Excel, MSWord or both formats at no additional cost. ... OUR GUARANTEE: We will refund postage (up to 34 cents per item) for any undeliverable addresses over 10% of the total list. We will also correct the undeliverable contacts and issue you an updated list. ... UPDATES: We provide quarterly updates AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE for one year. ... Call 888-330-4919 to place your order (24hrs). You will be able to download your lists WITHIN MINUTES of placing your order. ... **Consultants and others who interact regularly with clients who could benefit from these list can receive a bi-weekly commission from sales they refer to us.**

20011112: Note: I just talked to these cretins; the particular cretin I talked to was mighty snippy when I asked him whether unsolicited bulk commericial email was within the terms of service of a netscape.net email address, and soon hung up on me. Oh well, have a nice evening :)

You might want to talk to them in detail, ask about the differences between their lists, figure out if you can get, say, just the *overlap* of the Gay and Lesbian Media list and the Christian Media List, or whether you can get a better price if you buy all of their lists at once. There is probably a whole range of interesting price information to be had by wondering aloud which lists would best suit your needs. Enjoy.

MORTGAGE SPAM - (888) 264-9272"

"Are You A Mortgage Broker in Need of Leads? Experience the INCREASED SALES a quality lead will have on your business! Are you looking for a more efficient and effective way to spend your marketing dollars? We understand the impact a qualified lead can have on your business! That’s why all leads are issued to you within 24-48 hours of the borrower’s request for a lender! That’s right…these prospects are REQUESTING YOUR SERVICES! TO ORDER LEADS IN YOUR STATE, CALL (888) 264-9272"

WATER SPAM - 888-765-7873

"We'd like to send you a $500.00 in grocery coupons absolutely FREE! We want to test your tap water to make sure your family is drinking water that meets your standards. To encourage you to make the right decision, we will give you $500.00 in grocery coupons just for having your water tested. Not only do we make it easy for you by coming to your home for your free no-hassle test, not only is it important for your family, we'll give you a booklet with $500 in grocery coupons just for making the right decision. Click here to request your free - no obligation water test and your free coupon booklet or call us at 888-765-7873."

ANTENNA SPAM - 1-866-225-9067

From GOALSETTING@MAIL.COM Sun Oct 14 23:31:21 2001
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 20:08:38 -0500
From: INTERNALANTENNAS.COM
Subject: FREE ANTENNA BOOSTER FOR YOUR CELL PHONE..NO NEED TO BUY ANYTHING

*NEW CELL PHONE SIGNAL ANTENNA BOOSTER FREE* Description ORDER AT INTERNALANTENNAS.COM OR TOLL FREE 1-866-225-9067 ... All our mailings are sent complying to the proposed United States Federal requirements for commercial e-mail: Section 301 Paragraph (a)(2)(C) of S. 618. Please see the bottom of this message for further information and removal instructions. contact gacosta@constant.com and you will be removed immediately

TONER SPAM - 1-888-977-1577

"**** VORTEX SUPPLIES **** YOUR LASER PRINTER TONER CARTRIDGE, COPIER AND FAX CARTRIDGE CONNECTION SAVE UP TO 30% FROM RETAIL ORDER BY PHONE:1-888-288-9043 ORDER BY FAX: 1-888-977-1577 E-MAIL REMOVAL LINE: 1-888-494-8597 UNIVERSITY AND/OR SCHOOL PURCHASE ORDERS WELCOME. (NO CREDIT APPROVAL REQUIRED) ALL OTHER PURCHASE ORDER REQUESTS REQUIRE CREDIT APPROVAL. PAY BY CHECK (C.O.D), CREDIT CARD OR PURCHASE ORDER (NET 30 DAYS)."

DVD SPAM - 800 310 7047"