FTC To Consumers: 'Do Not Mail' Site Is Bogus

Welcome Guest. | Log In| Register | Membership Benefits

February 13, 2004 (10:05 AM EST)

FTC To Consumers: 'Do Not Mail' Site Is Bogus

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday warned consumers not to hand over their e-mail addresses to a site posing as a national anti-spam 'do not mail' registry.

The site, which as of Thursday mimicked the look and navigation of the FTC's somewhat similar Do Not Call Registry -- the service that lets Americans register their phone numbers to stymie telemarketers -- is a scam, said the FTC in a statement.

"This site may be a ruse to collect valid e-mail addresses to sell to spammers. The result could be even more spam for consumers who sign up for this 'registry,' the FTC said. "Or it may be even worse. Some scammers have collected information through bogus web sites like this one that mimic those of legitimate organizations, and then used the information to commit identity theft."

There is no such thing as a national Do Not Mail Registry, added the FTC. Although Congress gave the agency the task of deciding whether an e-mail registry is feasible to the agency, the FTC hasn't made a determination nor created such as site.

By Friday, the bogus site had changed its appearance -- dumping the colors, navigational bars, and layout that made it look like the FTC's Do Not Call Registry -- and now prominently displays a disclaimer that read "This Website is privately owned and operated."

"The best way to avoid scams like this is to keep your personal information to yourself -- including your e-mail address -- unless you know who you're dealing with," said the FTC in its warning.