* This is article from Paul Hancox: *
WHY FALSE SPAM ACCUSATIONS COULD COST YOU BIG MONEY, AND HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST THEM...
... even though you've never spammed in your life
by Paul Hancox
Has this happened to you yet? You send out your solicited email newsletter as usual. Then, out of the blue, someone reports you for "spamming". Your hosting company automatically shuts you down - you lose valuable time and money.
Hopefully it hasn't - but, you know, this same thing has happened to several other legitimate marketers recently. You see, if you're using email for business purposes, or are thinking about it, you need to consider these chilling facts:
oOo Web hosting companies are getting tougher on spam. This has serious implications even though you don't spam. One popular hosting company says this in their Anti-Spam Policy: "On first complaint we will suspend your account for 24 hours... On second complaint we will (we have to) terminate your account completely. NO EXCEPTION." Think about it - all that's needed is a complaint or two? (In that case, it certainly helps if you can prove you're not a spammer, don't you think?) And what about this...
oOo Just recently, AOL added a "Report Spam" button to their email facility. Now, with one click, subscribers can report you to AOL for "spamming", who will often report you to your hosting company, even though you've never spammed in your life! (Let me tell you, this has happened many times to legitimate marketers.) Your hosting company, in turn, could shut your site down - and even send you the bill! (If you don't believe me, check out this extract from another hosting company's Terms and Conditions: "Violators will be assessed a minimum fine of $200 and will face immediate suspension. ------ reserves the right to determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, what constitutes a violation of this provision." Now, if you can't prove that your e-publication was requested, then it could cost you a lot!... in both time and money. Not only that, but...
oOo Legislation is currently being considered to stop spammers, with heavy fines, jail sentences and loss of property. Of course, that puts added pressure on those of us who market legitimately by email. If you get accused of spam, could you prove that they requested your email? (The site cluelessmailers.org points out that "some states now have, or will soon have laws against unsolicited commercial email. If you have proof of permission, you won't have to have your head shaved, and become a gang member's... uh... girlfriend.")
You see, spam isn't just a problem for email users. It's a problem for anyone who markets by email - especially if you use autoresponders, mailing lists or newsletters.
How to defend yourself against false spam accusations!
Entire Article:
Logan Mims
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