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Spam

Information sheet

What is spam?

Spam is the email equivalent of junk mail or nuisance phone calls. It can simply be defined as all unsolicited electronic mail sent out in bulk to individuals or organisations that have not already consented to receive it. It comes under a number of classifications, such as:

  • unsolicited commercial email (UCE), which usually advertises a product or service;
  • unsolicited bulk email (UBE), which is used for things like lobbying;
  • chain letters and pyramid schemes;
  • messages sent to a recipient who had agreed to receive mail but has subsequently opted-out;
  • any email without an opt-out facility;
  • where an opt-out facility is provided, but it is deliberately misleading or difficult to activate; and
  • any email which does not have a valid address in the ‘reply to’ line.
  • An email message is not considered to be spam if:
  • you have at any time requested information from the sender and have not subsequently opted out of further communication; or
  • you are already a customer or member of an organisation which contacts you by email providing the organisation gives you the opportunity to cancel any further email communication.

How can I tell if an email I receive is spam?

The clues are often in the email subject line. Watch out for strange symbols like ‘$’ or ‘#’, words like ‘free’, promises of money, investment opportunities, love, friendship or good health. More creative spammers will make out they know you by saying something like ‘Hi there’, or make out you have been specially selected in some way.

Beware of messages that come from businesses or addresses you don’t recognise. Many of these addresses are bogus and are used for a specific campaign and then discarded. Also look out for messages where the sender is not clearly identified.

What do ‘opt in’ and ‘opt out’ mean?

All responsible email marketers will ask up front whether or not you want to hear from them by email. They usually do this on their websites, but many use offline opportunities like application and memberships forms or surveys.

Giving your permission to an organisation to be contacted via email is called ‘opt in’. The current worldwide trend is towards ‘double opt in’, which essentially asks for permission and then goes back to the person for verification of this request. ‘Opt out’ is the opposite of opt in and is the term used for removing your email address from a list. Any bulk email that is sent should have an opt-out link attached. The terms ‘opt in’ and ‘opt out’ are also referred to as ‘subscribe’ and ‘unsubscribe’.

More information on spam

More information on spam is available on the Australian Media and Communications Authority website, at www.acma.gov.au (go to For the public > Content & advertising > Spam – junk email and messages).

About NetAlert

NetAlert is the Australian Government’s online safety program, set up to protect Australian families online. NetAlert is part of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It offers independent, sensible, helpful and reliable advice and information about potential problems, dangers and threats on the internet and ways to minimise or avoid these problems.

Tel: 1800 880 176
Email: netalert@acma.gov.au
Web: www.netalert.gov.au

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