The Latest Scams Circulating the Consumer World. Be warned. Be informed.
February 2006
Junk Faxes
Do you get junk faxes that are a constant reminder that your e-mail inbox is not the only place where you receive spam mail? However, the main difference between a spam e-mail and a junk fax is the amount of money it will cost you. After all, you're paying for the paper and ink to receive the junk fax! At the Consumer Jungle office, we receive more junk faxes than business faxes; and I am getting tired of the inconvenience. If you are experiencing a similar nuisance, read on to find out how you can stop junk faxes.
The junk faxes I receive are generally advertising ridiculously low travel deals. According to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991, I shouldn't even be receiving these faxes because junk faxes are illegal. However, the industry is profitable enough for mass faxers to assume the risk of lawsuits. Similar to spam e-mail, faxing to thousands of people costs very little. Even with a minuscule response, it can be profitable, since you and I supply the paper and ink.
You don't have to give out your number, said Robert H. Braver, of Norman, Oklahoma, who owns an Internet service provider and runs Junkfaxes.org, a consumer-advocacy Web site. Plug in your fax machine and they will find you.
Junfaxes.com recommends e-mailing the fax broadcaster DIRECTLY and asking to be removed from ALL transmissions from that broadcaster. The two major fax broadcasters are:
Vision Lab
removal@visionlab.com
Protus IP Solutions
support@protus.com
The subject line MUST read "remove xxx-xxx-xxxx" where "xxx-xxx-xxxx" is the fax number to be removed. If you have more than one number to be removed, you will need to send one email per number.
Play it Safe
• Remove your phone number from the fax broadcasters' list.
• Don't respond to any junk faxes. More than likely they are a scam and not a good deal!
To find out more information, visit www.junkfaxes.org.
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