Anti-Spam
Tip #003
Hitting Spammers Where It Hurts the Most — In Their Pockets!
(rt) This very effective anti spam strategy will strike at spammers right where it does the most good — in their pockets!
More and more, email marketers are resorting to offline sales setups. Gone are the days when practically every spam message you received required a simple click on your email client's Return button to get some “free report” which was little more than another disguised sales pitch, or similar.
One of the main reasons why email response is turning so unpopular with spammers is because an ever increasing number of spam victims is learning to fight back. It's fairly easy to track email messages (click here if you want to learn how) and complain to ISPs, web hosts and anti-spam pressure groups to get the culprits' accounts closed down. Also, because the problem has escalated astronomically over the years, costing bandwidth and manpower, all major and even many minor internet service providers are taking a very dim view of spam and will relentlessly pursue any violation of their terms of service.
So has this exterminated spam? Unfortunately not. Setting up a web site is time consuming and costly, even if it's just another pathetic template clone. Online credit card processing is expensive, too, and risking your merchant status because of massive spam complaints is no fun, either. Hence, during the past year or so, there's been a notable trend amongst spammers to resort to offline sales processing setups instead.
This will typically be a commercial call center running a wide spectrum of toll free numbers (both national and international) to entice victims to oder by phone.
So what can a valiant spamfighter do about this?
The answer is simply: give them a call — with a vengeance!
Toll free numbers can actually be any spam outfit's unmaking: according to industry statistics, the average cost per call (CPC) via a sales processing or phone center is appr. $2.25 to $4.50 — that's regardless of whether a sale is closed or not!
So let's say our spamming friend has struck an arrangement that will cost him some $3.00 per call on his leased toll free line. And let's say, too, that you and a couple of friends decide to take an afternoon off to have some real ogre fun with spammers' toll free numbers.
Assume that the three of you can do about 20 calls per hour each (3 min. per call including dialing, a fairly realistic estimate): that one hour would add up to 60 calls at $3 each = a stately total of $180 for which the spammer will have to bleed, not you. (You won't pay a dime, all you're investing is your time.) Do this for only three hours, and it will cost our spammer $540 — with no returns whatsoever!
And that's only three dedicated spamfighters at work — imagine a scenario of hundreds of people fed up with spam taking assertive action in this manner! Spammers are doing what they do for profit, greed is their only motive. If an enterprise doesn't offer sufficient return on investment, out goes the spammer to look for some alternative, more lucrative venue. So every buck in inflated expenses will help.
Read below in a nutshell on how to proceed and what to avoid to make sure your spamfighting operation doesn't backfire.
Spam Phone List
On using our list below
The list below was compiled from several of our own mail boxes. All these incidences of spam mail are fully documented and have been archived. This is just to keep matters legal and above board.
Obviously, this list is by no means comprehensive nor does it strive to be. Feel free to set up your own, based on ours. You may also distribute it to your liking if you leave it unmodified. Else, simply replace our link with your own.
The really important part is offering people a means to get even with spammers and their blatant disregard for other people's time and resources. We wish you every success with that!
So here's our spammers toll free numbers list which will be updated as they come.
- Be polite — the people you're calling are only doing their job, most probably without even being aware that their clients are spamming the living light out every internet email user. Never issue threats or invectives — else, you may risk molestation charges which could cost you plenty! Bear in mind that to all probability all your conversations will be taped for reference and accounting purposes. Hence, stay absolutely legal all the way!
- Try your best to keep the call going for at least 1.5 to 2.5 minutes.
- Don't keep it up for much longer: most arrangements come with a minimum fee per call, so calling more frequently will usually be much costlier (to the spammer) than extended, longish calls.
Ask involved, convoluted questions nobody's likely to be able to answer easily. Some suggestions to start you off:
- “Before I decide on whether to buy your product, I'd like to know where you got my address from.”
- “Give me three good reasons why I should trust you with my credit card data.”
- “Where are you located?”
- Be creative and make up your own questions. Prepare a list of questions in writing before you start — this will help you keep the meter ticking!
- Don't worry about calling the same number several times in a row — it is highly unlikely that you will be connected with the same person twice. And even if you are, this may actually add to the fun.
- Always remember that your aim should be to generate as many calls of no more than 1.5 to 2.5 minutes' duration as you can: don't get carried away with your act because the going's so good!
The last question is a particularly nice one, don't underestimate it: quite a few phone marketing companies are actually employing low cost overseas staff trained in presenting a bogus American accent — they are also admonished never to reveal their real location. In any case, the processing center's location isn't normally identical with your spammer's: a source for endless hilarious misunderstandings!
Here's some more:
- “Have you tried this product yourself? For how long? Why? Do you know any cheaper one?”
- “Do you think my grandmother will enjoy your product? Can I ask her to call you? She's very hard of hearing — to you have a special line for the aurally disabled?”
- “Do you know what email spam is?”
- “Could I speak to someone in your internet abuse department?”
- “Why is your company endorsing abusive marketing practices?”
- “I'd like to read you a few jokes I've written down here. Listen …”
- “Tell me, what's the meaning of life?”
And so on …
- Never sound abusive, slanderous, threatening or in any way less than bona fide: taking it out on the wrong people (those who have to take your call) won't get you anywhere. More often than not, it will also drain your energy and make you less effective.
- Don't give your postal address. While it may be easy to track it via your phone line anyway, it is always best policy not to divulge more information than absolutely necessary.
- Using an assumed name may or may not constitute a criminal offense in your particular jurisdiction — be careful about this as your mileage may vary considerably.
- Tempting though it may be, don't just hook on your modem and set it on scheduled automatic dialer. Not only would this qualify for the offline equivalent of a denial of service attack, if caught there may easily be hell to pay, and damages to boot. In some jurisdictions such behavior may even constitute a felony, possibly landing you jail, so mind your step all the way! After all, it's the spammer you want to see ripped, not yourself!
Last updated: Wednesday, 20-Feb-2002 16:03:09 CST
Source: http://fantomaster.com/faantispamtip3.html
Feel free to distribute this list unmodified!
--------------------------
Spammers' Tollfree Numbers
--------------------------
- all U.S. numbers -
Legend
EXT.: extension
CODE: presumably call center customer CODE
FAX: toll free FAX
Text in [brackets]: email spam subject line
Duplicate numbers are due to different spam mails sent, advocating
identical phone or fax numbers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
800-215-4490 [ ~Beautiful, Custom Websites $399 Complete!! ]
800-234-8190 [ Check This Out and Let Me Know ]
800-234-8190 [ Time is Valuable ]
800-266-7240 [ I need an MLM PRO-Partner....,, ] EXT. 0004
800-266-7240 [ Earn 100K Plus a year! ] EXT. 0002
800-266-7240 [ MAKE $100,000 A YEAR & UP! ] EXT. 0004
800-288-7363 [ ADV:CREDIT CARD PROCESSING ]
800-318-8477 [ Information You Requested ]
800-320-9895 [ Enclosed: Financial Info. You Requested. ] EXT. 5104
800-320-9895 [ Freedom Is A Phone Call Away ] EXT. 6396
800-320-9895 [ It's your choice ] EXT. 4748
800-320-9895 [ Program Designed To Fit Your Needs ] EXT. 6247
800-320-9895 [ WANT TO WORK FROM HOME? ] EXT. 836
800-322-0251 [ Email Marketing Tools! Hosting, Sending, Software! ]
800-322-6169 [ 80% profit 8225 ] EXT. 2222
800-322-6169 [ Empower yourself 21928 ] EXT. 2222
800-322-6169 [ Responding To Your Inquiry.. ] EXT 4162
800-338-8267 [ Inside Track to a Growth Industry ]
800-340-4314 [ here's an example of the CASH you can generate ]
800-340-43144 [ If you have a product, service or message you would like ]
800-345-9708 [ Create Wealth From Home!! 6307 ]
800-345-9708 [ Make The Money Before The Christmas Holiday!! ]
800-346-4684 [ **COMPUTER USER ALERT** ]
800-363-1214 [ HOME DISTRIBUTORS - BILLION DOLLAR WOMAN'S PRODUCT ]
800-366-1529 [ Serious Inquires Only! ]
800-373-5723 [ 1/2 PRICE Printer+Fax ink cartridges.. ]
800-395-7379 [ Noni Juice cure? ]
800-395-7379 [ Noni Juice natural healher... ]
800-401-6327 [ Fast And Easy Weight Loss!!!!!!!!!! ]
800-487-9955 [ ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ] CODE 1000
800-449-2065 [ WANTED: SALES PROs WHO KNOW IT'S POSSIBLE TO MAKE $150,000 IN 6 MONTHE WITH RIGHT PRODUCT.mchhx ]
800-510-6037 [ <> LEADERS Earn.. $3 - 5,000 PER WEEK IMMEDIATELY <> ]
800-528-3548 [ Email Marketing Works! Cheap & Effective! ]
800-533-9351 [ Save 20-70% off your Grocery Bill ! ]
800-533-9351 [ Tired of the 40 X 40 Plan? ]
800-548-6726 [ ADV: 3.95% 30 yr. & 4.95% 40 yr. Mortgages NOW ]
800-555-1795 [ Important ] EXT. 5050 or 2255
800-555-1795 [ NORMAL ] EXT. 2255 or 9090
800-570-9232 [ you decide ]
800-583-6069 [ Supercharge Sales - Increase Exposure! ]
800-600-1060 [ Beautiful custom sites/re-designs, $349 complete! ]
800-628-8392 [ CHI MACHINE - Relieve Stress/Back Pain/Improve Circulation & Oxygen - Medically Proven! ]
800-635-1011 [ Make up several subject lines ]
800-635-1011 [ Master Psychic ]
800-637-1934 [ Speaks For Itself ]
800-708-7424 [ NORMAL ] EXT. 2255 or 9090
800-708-7425 [ Important ] EXT. 5050 or 2255
800-720-9275 [ Make big money sending emails........... ] EXT. 5252
800-723-0177 [ It's your choice ]
800-734-7226 [ Critical Government Compliance Information -- Don't get caught unaware -- adv ] EXT. 1415
800-753-4404 [ no subject ]
800-877-1978 [ Use 100% Target or Opt-In E-Mail ]
800-804-4352 [ Cellphone Signal Booster $14.95 ]
800-804-4352 [ Fwd:Increase Cell Phone Reception ]
800-877-1978 [ No-Spam E-Mail Lead Generation ]
800-804-4352 [ Cellphone Signal Booster $14.95 ]
800-813-4992 [ Custom Websites for $399 Complete! (or yours re-designed) ]
800-813-4992 [ !Beautiful, Custom Websites - $399 Complete! ]
800-908-8733 [ "Free Echinacea See Inside For Details..." ]
800-933-1172 [ Make your money with good credit ]
800-940-6590 [ At last, Herbal V, the all Natural Alternative ]
800-979-8548 [ Receive Your Blessing 30606 ] EXT. 9120
800-979-8548 [ Very Important ] EXT. 3132
800-979-8548 [ The Truth ] EXT. 9121
800-995-0796 [ If you're serious...] EXT. 2728
818-885-1823 [ Controversial Marketing Tools That Work! ]
818-885-8014 [ Controversial Marketing Tools That Work! ] FAX
866.222.1818 [ RESERVE YOUR OWN TOLL FREE 800 NUMBER THAT SPELLS YOUR NAME ]
866-433-6160 [ Affordable High Speed Hosting! ]
866-522-8575 [ The Vegas Edge ] EXT. 10
866-587-8238 [ ]
866-760-8931 [ Tired of being Tired? ]
877-214-6699 [ RETIRE!!! BE YOUR OWN BOSS! ]
877-214-6699 [ GQ MAGAZINE "THE GAMBLING URGE IS UNIVERSAL" ]
877-329-6729 [ Business O w n e rr s! (18409) ]
877-397-6731 [ Don't miss this $700 give away 22970 ] CODE 122
877-461-2456 [ Yes, You Need a Vacation_________________________ ] EXT. 54
877-586-9578 [ NO SPAM Direct eMarketing: Reach Mill$ions on the Internet ]
877-711-4400 [ MAKE MONEY with your computer! ]
877-711-4400 [ NOW, WHAT WORK HANDS DOWN? ]
877-711-4400 [ If you have a product, service or message you would like ]
877-711-4400 [ When you place material as an online newsletter your ]
877-711-4400 [ "Thanks. In two (2) weeks your e-mail program has ]
877 721 5948 [ Earn money from home ]
877-728-1500 [ A good chance to... 11675 ] CODE 77
877-728-1500 [ Enclosed Captioning for the Wallet Impaired... ] CODE 77
877-728-1500 [ Pay Nothing -- Incredible Satellite Offer lñlsireifmnvjngngk ] Combo Promo Offer 2A
877-728-1500 [ Simple 32603) CODE 77 ]
877-728-1500 [ The Time to Switch from Cable to Satellite is NOW! ] CODE 300
877-781-5286 [ Get Your Own Cable Descrabler Today! ]
877-783-7302 [ Re: YES..YOU NEED A VACATION! ] EXT: 52 WHOLESALE RATES!
888-212-7921 [ Pager for ONLY $59.99 with Service for 1 Year ] CODE 322 ]
888-248-2015 [ toner cartridges ]
888-248-4578 [ MORE Holiday Sales + NO Set Up Fee E-Commerce Solution!! ]
888-248-4930 [ toner cartridges ]
888-248-7093 [ FW: time to shine !!! (35311)]
888-248-7093 [ We buy Judicial Judgment ]
888-248-7307 [ REVERSE THE AGING PROCESS 10-20 YEARS WITH GH ]
888-249-1010 [ New ISP on the block ]
888-286-6804 [ Accepting credit cards is an absolute necessity!! ]
888-286-6804 [ Real-time transaction processing system!!!! ]
888-288-9043 [ printer supplies ]
888-330-4919 [ Affordable Publicity Lists - (Alternative Weeklies Added) ]
888-354-2111 [ 1,000 Commission Per Sale! ]
888-354-2111 [ 3 Free Vacations w/ Airfare for 2 ]
888-354-2111 [ Receive 3 FREE vacations (and much more!) ]
888-418-2575 [ Home Loans & Refinancing Available ]
888-420-9607 [ Cap your Long Distance Bill @ $69.95/mo. ]
888-462-5197 [ Have you ever had a reading from a real Psychic ? ]
888-480-9950 [ Increase Holiday Sales! NO Set Up Fee E-Commerce Solution!! ]
888-480-9950 [ More Sales + NO Set Up Fee E-Commerce Solution!! ]
888-514-6881 [ Click Here for $900 worth of free merchandise ]
888-514-6881 [ Nothing on TV? Surf your way through 500 Channels. ]
888-514-6881 [ We want to give you a Brand New Free Satellite! ]
888-549-0766 [ ADV: I bet that I make more money in the Web design business than you do. ]
888-605-2485 [ Individuals who snore have a 90% chance of daytime fatigue! ]
888-605-2485 [ Money Judgements-Child Support ]
888-617-3255 [ Your Competition Accepts Credit Cards, Do You? ]
888-617-3255 [ Stop Losing Sales!! Accept Credit Cards! ]
888-663-8767 [ have you considered doing this? ]
888-663-8767 [ have you considered this? ]
888-663-8767 [ Re: have you considered doing this? ]
888-694-5499 [ Diabetic socks ]
888-729-8976 [ Now You Can Run A Background and Asset Search!! ]
888-729-8976 [ We Run Background and Asset Searches! ]
888-773-2889 [ FREE OVERVIEW 1-888-PRE-ATTY (773-2889) ]
888-800-6339 [ Millions CD Volume 13 Act Now! ] EXT. 1010
888-806-0517 [ IS SNORING AFFECTING YOUR SLEEP ? ]
888-900-0125 [ I Can Pay Your Bills For "Pennies On The Dollar!" ]
888-977-1577 [ toner cartridges ] FAX
Info
fantomNews
fantomProducts
fantomTips
fantomServices
fantomFree
fantomOrders
fantomAffiliates
fantomOEM
fantomMedia
Professional IP Blocker Program The heavy duty spam, snoop and fraud protector: block an unlimited number of predefined IPs, UserAgents and referrer Hosts from accessing your web pages.
Avoid code napping, frivolous litigation for purported rights violation, protect your code and your privacy from established snoops and dumb, misbehaved spiders running rampant on your site.
Weed out domains or entire countries notable for their high rate of fraudulent credit card chargebacks.
Read More …