What happens if you answer spam mail

The age-old question: what happens if you answer spam mail?

In most cases, answering spam mail is unlikely to have a significant impact on the spammer or the legitimacy of the offer. Here's what might happen:

  1. You'll likely get more spam: By responding to a spam email, you're confirming to the spammer that your email address is active and potentially interested in their offer. This can lead to more spam emails flooding your inbox.
  2. You might get scammed: Some spam emails are designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details. If you respond to these emails, you risk falling victim to a scam.
  3. You'll waste your time: Responding to spam mail can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience. You might spend hours crafting a response, only to receive a generic or automated reply from the spammer.
  4. You might get added to a mailing list: If you respond to a spam email, you might inadvertently sign up for a mailing list or newsletter from the spammer. This can lead to a steady stream of unwanted emails.
  5. You might get reported to the authorities: If you report spam emails to the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your email provider's abuse department, responding to the spam email might not be the most effective way to do so.

What you can do instead:

  1. Delete the email: The simplest and most effective way to deal with spam mail is to delete it immediately.
  2. Mark it as spam: Most email providers allow you to mark emails as spam. This helps your email provider's algorithms learn to recognize similar emails as spam and block them in the future.
  3. Report the email: If you're concerned about the legitimacy of the email or want to report it to the authorities, you can forward it to the relevant organization or file a complaint with your email provider.
  4. Use a spam filter: Consider using a reputable spam filter or email client that can help block or flag spam emails before they reach your inbox.

Remember, responding to spam mail is unlikely to have a significant impact on the spammer or the legitimacy of the offer. Instead, focus on protecting your email inbox and reporting suspicious emails to the authorities.