OFT and EU host international spam summit.

Government and business must work together and across borders to tackle spam, said the OFT at a summit of international spam enforcement agencies in London. The summit, hosted by the OFT and the European Commission Contact Network of Spare Enforcement Authorities brought together over 60 public and private sector agencies from over 27 countries to promote cross-border cooperation on spam and spam-related problems, such as on-line fraud and computer viruses. These agencies, signatories to the London Action Plan on spam have undertaken to work together to tackle spam through smarter, more strategic law enforcement and by educating consumers and business on how to avoid falling victim to spammers. Bulk unsolicited electronic messages, or spare, accounts for over 66 per cent of all e-mail traffic on the interact, or 2 out of 3 emails. In 2004 some 25.5 billion messages were spam. Spam email is frequently linked to fraudulent, deceptive or pornographic commercial activities. It is estimated that over 80 per cent of spam received by UK internet users originates from overseas, making cross-border collaboration on enforcement essential. Examples of enforcement action and other anti-spam initiatives undertaken by LAP members include:

* The prevention, by the OFT, of a company trading as UK Dropshippers from selling on lists of 3 million bogus 'opt-in' email addresses to potential spammers through its website. The website has ceased trading after a warning from the OFT.

* Implementing Operation Spam Zombies to counter the problem of hackers tapping into people's home computers and using them to send millions of unsolicited spam e-mails without the computer owners knowledge. Thirty six LAP members participated in the operation which has so far identified 460 Internet providers in 64 countries that are hosting hijacked personal computers

* In Texas, LAP member Microsoft and US authorities are taking court action against PayPerAction L.L.C., Leadplex L.L.C. and Leadplex Inc., which spam watchdog SpamHaus.org ranks as the fourth largest illegal spam operation in the world.

* LAP member the US Federal Trade Commission has also started legal action against Global Web Promotions, a spam enterprise that operates out of Australia and New Zealand. Another of the largest spammers in the world, since January 1, 2004 the FTC received 399,000 unwanted spam e-mails from consumers from Global Web Promotions, The conference included sessions on effective collection of spam data by enforcement agencies; the authentication of email; multi-country spam enforcement and investigative assistance across borders; and the development of an efficient international case referral system.

Comment:

'Spam continues to be a major international problem, clogging networks and reducing consumer confidence in the internet marketplace. The London Action Plan is fast proving its value as a unique partnership that brings together different government agencies and business to combat spam. The interaction of business and government must go further.' Governments are not the only ones who can bring spammers to court--companies can too. The private sector should remain active in pursuing legal actions.' Tips To Help You Fight Back When you get spam emails, remember:

* much spare is a seam 

* if an offer looks too good to be true--it's probably false

* don't buy, don't reply

Top tips to avoid spam:

* use a spare filter--often available with your email package.

* If you don't know who the email is from--delete it

* Don't respond to an unsolicited e-mall by giving anyone your bank or credit card details

* don't click on the adverts in spare emails--if you do, you may download a virus

* protect your email address--never share it with people you don't know on the internet.

www. informationcommissioner.gov.uk