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Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 17:17:20 +0000
From: Ron Couch <writer@rio.com>
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To: spam-hater@studio42.com
Subject: SPAM FRUSTRATION
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Digicom Nationwide Services "kindly" gave me an 800 number to call so I
can cancel the stupid unsolicited spam they've been sending me, which
arrives without a return address. Trouble is, the number yields a voice
mail terminal which is always too full to accept a response.

Any tips on an alternative way I can get these buttholes out of my life?
Your advice would be much appreciated.

Ron Couch,
Eugene, OR

Subject:     Re: SPAM FRUSTRATION
Date:        9/2/98 19:42
To:          Ron Couch, writer@rio.com

On 9/2/98 09:17, Ron Couch sent the following ASCII stream:

>Digicom Nationwide Services "kindly" gave me an 800 number to call so I
>can cancel the stupid unsolicited spam they've been sending me, which
>arrives without a return address. Trouble is, the number yields a voice
>mail terminal which is always too full to accept a response.
>
>Any tips on an alternative way I can get these buttholes out of my life?
>Your advice would be much appreciated.
>
>Ron Couch,
>Eugene, OR

I'm strongly contemplating making a "Ask Spam-Hater" section for just this sort of thing.

I forget exactly how I worded the intro for that particular page, but as you found it, it 
is in fact dedicated to spammers who are choosing to use the toll-free services of Digicom 
Nationwide Services. I honestly have a feeling that Digicom Nationwide Services is not 
directly involved in spamming, but is merely providing the toll free services, and a fair 
number of their customers are spammers. 

I seriously doubt that calling the instructed toll free number will yield any useful results, 
even if the voicemail box wasn't constantly plugged with complaints. Worse case scenario is 
that they(Digicom) would make an annoucement to stop spamming a specified email address, to 
which the spammers will say "thank you for the live address" and your spam load would go up 
a fair amount.

My suggestion depends largely on your skill level. As always, I recommend doing a normal 
work-up to identify the spammer and places abused. Well aimed complaints that stop spammers 
is the first step. The second step is to directly attack Digicom. I have found BBB complaints 
to be eye openers and sometimes results in a slowdown, if not a stoppage. As pressure comes 
from more folks against certain extensions, Digicom is going to have to take notice and perhaps 
take action. I am not aware of Digicom's billing policy, but I would bill to the extension 
entered. Spammers should get tired of paying for complaints on their toll-free numbers, which 
sort of defeats the whole idea behind spamming in the first place, which is to do things on 
someone elses coin.

You also have easier alternatives: For every spam you receive, you have received the spammer's 
permission to call that number ONCE, which I recommend you do from a pay phone. You then also 
have the right to call the complaint number you received ONCE, but by ONCE I mean you have the 
right to be able to call in AND leave a message of complaint, not "call and get a full inbox 
message". Digicom still has to pay for these calls and will take notice of this money being 
wasted.

There is no sure way to stop them for sure, but these should provide some degree of relief. 
Remember, their unsolicited email to you is a soliticiation to call them up and express you 
opinions on the topic. Be firm and keep it clean. Don't back down, after all, you're the one 
paying for their spamming.