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11/10/2004
Global cooperation needed to stop spam scams, says OFT
Global cooperation on network security, law enforcement and heightened consumer awareness is needed to help shield internet users from spam, according to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Bulk unsolicited electronic messages, or spam, accounts for over 60% of all e-mail traffic on the internet, up from under half in 2003 and under 10% in 2001, and is frequently linked to fraudulent, deceptive or pornographic commercial activities. It is estimated that over 80% of spam received by UK internet users originates from overseas, making cross-border collaboration on enforcement essential.
The OFT delivered its message at a London conference of international spam enforcement agencies today which brought together consumer protection, data protection and telecommunications agencies from over 20 countries.
The conference, co-hosted with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is designed to promote cross-border cooperation on spam and spam-related problems, such as on-line fraud and computer viruses.
Successful joint enforcement actions against spam include an investigation carried out by the FTC and the OFT into a company trading – which originated in the UK and targeted US consumers – which used patriotic messages to lure people into buying fake domain names in the immediate wake of September 11.
John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said that enforcement agencies, computer and communications industries, and smart consumers at home all needed to work together to combat the internet scammers.
He added: "Spam is not just annoying and intrusive. It gets in the way of legitimate e-commerce, and is often a vehicle for scams and computer viruses."
Deborah Majoras, FTC Chairman, said the conference had helped unite agencies to stop deceptive and fraudulent spam from flooding email boxes, threatening data security, and undermining email's effectiveness as a tool for commerce and communication.
Consumers are reminded that as most spam involves a scam, they should immediately delete suspicious mail, use a spam filter and to not click on adverts in spam emails – as they often contain a downloadable virus.
(gmcg/mb)
Bulk unsolicited electronic messages, or spam, accounts for over 60% of all e-mail traffic on the internet, up from under half in 2003 and under 10% in 2001, and is frequently linked to fraudulent, deceptive or pornographic commercial activities. It is estimated that over 80% of spam received by UK internet users originates from overseas, making cross-border collaboration on enforcement essential.
The OFT delivered its message at a London conference of international spam enforcement agencies today which brought together consumer protection, data protection and telecommunications agencies from over 20 countries.
The conference, co-hosted with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is designed to promote cross-border cooperation on spam and spam-related problems, such as on-line fraud and computer viruses.
Successful joint enforcement actions against spam include an investigation carried out by the FTC and the OFT into a company trading – which originated in the UK and targeted US consumers – which used patriotic messages to lure people into buying fake domain names in the immediate wake of September 11.
John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said that enforcement agencies, computer and communications industries, and smart consumers at home all needed to work together to combat the internet scammers.
He added: "Spam is not just annoying and intrusive. It gets in the way of legitimate e-commerce, and is often a vehicle for scams and computer viruses."
Deborah Majoras, FTC Chairman, said the conference had helped unite agencies to stop deceptive and fraudulent spam from flooding email boxes, threatening data security, and undermining email's effectiveness as a tool for commerce and communication.
Consumers are reminded that as most spam involves a scam, they should immediately delete suspicious mail, use a spam filter and to not click on adverts in spam emails – as they often contain a downloadable virus.
(gmcg/mb)
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04 November 2005
Government and business urged to tackle spam
Government and business urged to tackle spam The Office of Fair Trading has urged government and businesses to work together and across borders to tackle spam. The call was made at a summit of international spam enforcement agencies in London on Thursday.
Government and business urged to tackle spam
Government and business urged to tackle spam The Office of Fair Trading has urged government and businesses to work together and across borders to tackle spam. The call was made at a summit of international spam enforcement agencies in London on Thursday.
24 October 2003
America's turning off email over spam fears: survey
The recent explosion of email spam is beginning to take its toll on the Internet world, according to a nationwide US survey. The report, entitled “Spam: Hurting email and degrading the Internet environment,” by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, found that 25% of America’s email users say they are using email less because of spam.
America's turning off email over spam fears: survey
The recent explosion of email spam is beginning to take its toll on the Internet world, according to a nationwide US survey. The report, entitled “Spam: Hurting email and degrading the Internet environment,” by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, found that 25% of America’s email users say they are using email less because of spam.
02 July 2004
International alliance forges anti-spam strategy
A ground-breaking international deal aimed at tackling the global menace of spam has been agreed between the UK, United States and Australia, Communications Minister Stephen Timms announced today.
International alliance forges anti-spam strategy
A ground-breaking international deal aimed at tackling the global menace of spam has been agreed between the UK, United States and Australia, Communications Minister Stephen Timms announced today.
22 May 2003
Yahoo kicks off anti-spam campaign
Email users are being asked to trash junk mail as Yahoo kick off the first global anti-spam day of protest. Unsolicited junk email, spam, is credited with contributing to worker stress, but also now internet experts are warning that as a marketing tool it may be becoming unusable.
Yahoo kicks off anti-spam campaign
Email users are being asked to trash junk mail as Yahoo kick off the first global anti-spam day of protest. Unsolicited junk email, spam, is credited with contributing to worker stress, but also now internet experts are warning that as a marketing tool it may be becoming unusable.
04 October 2004
Conference to enhance international anti-fraud efforts held
International consumer law enforcers from 29 countries are meeting in London today for a conference aimed at enhancing cross-border co-operation, and allow greater exchange of information in tackling international cons such as the Canada lottery scam.
Conference to enhance international anti-fraud efforts held
International consumer law enforcers from 29 countries are meeting in London today for a conference aimed at enhancing cross-border co-operation, and allow greater exchange of information in tackling international cons such as the Canada lottery scam.
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