Why would you respond to a spammer?

Back in the days of yore, when we were only an Internet junkie in training, we received a lot of spam on our AOL address (shut up, you had AOL too). We went through a few stages with that, and at one point we actually shot e-mails back to the spammers telling them to cut it out. Because we got so much spam at the time, there was noticeable difference after the messages were sent. But if there was a change, it was because the e-mail verified that we were an active e-mail address. This is the main reason why you don’t respond to spammers. Too bad T-Mobile and the FCC see it otherwise. The FCC gives the following advice: “If you open an unwanted message, send a stop or opt out message in response.” Yes, because the people performing illegal acts will surely respond to your request. They wouldn’t, for any reason, send you even more spam. Riiiiiight. A reader of Consumerist wrote in with her T-Mobile spam story, relating that T-Mobile suggest you send “stop” in response to spam. Too bad that most of figured out over a decade ago that that is a poor strategy. The only thing it will do is lead to more spam. The T-Mobile representative told the reader to sign up with the Do Not Call registry, which she said she already has. The rep was “appalled” that she would still receive spam. Apparently, the rep hasn’t read the DNC registry press release regarding cell phones:

As the number of phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry surpassed 139 million, the Federal Trade Commission today reiterated that despite the claims made in e-mails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers at any time in the near future. In addition, according to the agency, it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the DNC Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones.

So the only people who are spamming you didn’t obtain your number legally. Being on the DNC registry means nothing for your cell phone, at least not at this point. We find it “appalling” that T-Mobile representatives are ignorant of this, especially when that’s the advice they dole out. Know this, though: if you respond to a spammer, you will end up on more illegal lists. So, in essence, T-Mobile is telling you to sign up for a pointless service, while ensuring your number ends up the target for more rogue spammers. We shouldn’t have to say this, but we will: don’t respond to spammers. There are no exceptions. [Consumerist]]]>