Hi there!

What do you do if someone complains that you spammed them (complains to your host) but you did not?

Example One: A customer fills out a "more information form" on your site.. you send them the info... they say you spammed!

Example Two: You recieve a list of people who Opted-In for information about your product (merchant account for new business)... They filled out a form, or checked a box that said "i want info about" but they report you to your host & say you spammed...

How do you prevent this? What host companies understand that sometimes you are not spamming?

Just trying to understand the system better..

Thanks!

You explain to the powers that be that's it's an opt-in list and provide them with any proof you may have. It is possible though that you were the victim of someone using your server to send spam. This is usually the case when you've been complained abut and the accusee has no clue what the accuser is talking about.

LightningWeb is right.

If you have them on an opt-in list, then you shouldn't have any issues providing proof to the host.

They're exactly right. Keep that opt-in list and more-info-requested message from the form, show it to your host and prove that the person asked to be emailed (or that a mean-spirited friend signed them up without their consent.)

You might also draft an email to this person reminding them of the list they joined / information they requested. Include information on how to be removed from your list(s). Copy your host on this email. Be polite, of course - the person could indeed have forgotten that they signed up with your service. If the person then asks to be removed from your lists or not contacted again, then don't contact them again.

Granted, it won't smooth the waters in all cases, but it does show both your host and the complaintant that you are responsive and responsible (by only using opt-in lists and by only contacting those who ask to be contacted.)

Best of luck!

If this was a purchased opt-in list, I have found many of those to be very questionable. People may have registered for something, but get much more than they expected. Or, people forget or don't associate. Last, some of them are obtained deceptively or inappropriately.

Opt-in mailing lists and mass mailers are dangerous and this type of thing with accusations whether false or true arises regularly.

Good point, Incognito. I didn't think of that.

Yes, Incognito brings out a good point, that second example is very suspicious looking.

bend over, wave goodbye, kiss your a** tah tah. happened to me and FDC terminated when it wasn't even me that spammed. Life is short, don't stress over the fact just get a new host because it's gonna be a pain to battle the fact you didnt' spam.