Consumers:
Junk Mail > What Else Can You Do?
Even if an e-mail message does not violate the law, it should still be viewed with caution. The information provided on this site is intended to help combat the problem of unwanted e-mail.
Reduce the Amount of Spam You Receive
Try not to display your e-mail address in public. That includes newsgroup postings, chat rooms, Web sites, or in an online service's membership directory. You may want to opt out of member directories for your online services; spammers may use them to harvest addresses.
Check the privacy policy
when you submit your address to a Web site. See if it allows the company to sell your address. You may want to opt out of this provision, if possible, or not submit your address to Web sites that won't protect it.
Read and understand the entire form before you transmit personal information through a Web site.
Some Web sites allow you to opt out of receiving e-mail from their “partners” - but you may have to uncheck a pre-selected box if you want to opt out.
Use two e-mail addresses - one for personal messages and one for newsgroups and chat rooms. Consider using a disposable e-mail address service that creates a separate e-mail address that forwards to your permanent account. If one of the disposable addresses begins to receive spam, you can shut it off without affecting your permanent address.
Use a unique e-mail address. Your choice of e-mail addresses may affect the amount of spam you receive. Spammers use dictionary attacks to sort through possible name combinations at large ISPs or e-mail services, hoping to find a valid address. Thus, a common name, such as jdoe, may get more spam than a more unique name like jd51x02oe.
Use an e-mail filter. Check your e-mail account to see if it provides a tool to filter out potential spam or a way to channel spam into a bulk e-mail folder. You might want to consider these options when you're choosing which Internet Service Provider (ISP) to use.
Consumer Protection Spam Division
501-682-2341
800-482-8982 (statewide)
501-682-8118 (fax)
webspam@ag.state.ar.us
