Is there anyway to stop fax spam? *rant*

[DeadByDawn]

My work fax gets at least 5 junk faxes per day minimum. It is so frustrating. It's worse than email spam, because it uses up your toner and paper to print their ads. If you call the number on the fax all you get is more fax spam because they know somebody is reading the faxes. I can't change the fax number because my business uses it a lot. Fax spammers should be shot.

 

[OutHouse]

Yip there sure is.

http://www.faxwars.com

Tom Martino started this a few months ago to stick the Fax spammers in the wallet.

Its no different than if you leave your keys in your car. Somebody comes along and borrows your car to go buy some milk and returns your car with no damage. pretty harmless right. wrong they used your gas, your vehicle, and caused wear and tear on your vehicle. A fax machine is no different.

Martino created faxwars for people just like you. Use him and get paid.

 

[PingSpike]

My parents just don't put any paper in the fax machine unless they know a fax they want is coming through. Then, if they're in the house they hang up on the distinctive ring. They usually get the message after about 3 attempts.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Put a computer on the fax line to capture the incoming faxes. Print out what you want.

 

[guyver01]

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 prohibits using a telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to send an unsolicited advertisement (a "junk fax") to a telephone facsimile machine.



Sample Junk Fax Demand Letter
<date>

CERTIFIED MAIL

RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

<name of junk fax sender>

<address of junk fax sender>



<junk fax sender>

c/o <name of junk fax sender's statutory agent>

<address of statutory agent>

Re: <junk fax recipient>, v. <name of junk fax sender>

To Whom It May Concern:

On *, 2004, you sent a facsimile (the "Fax") to my facsimile machine that is connected to my telephone number xxx-xxx-xxxx. A copy of your Fax is enclosed. The Fax is an advertisement for the commercial availability or quality of property, goods, or services. You sent your Fax to me without my prior express invitation or permission. You and I have never had an established business relationship.

A federal law enacted in 1991 called the "Telephone Consumer Protection Act" (the "Act") provides that "It shall be unlawful for any person within the United States . . . to use any telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to send an unsolicited advertisement to a telephone facsimile machine." 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1). The federal law also provides that "A person or entity may . . . bring in an appropriate court . . . an action . . . to receive $500 in damages for each such violation . . . . If the court finds that the defendant willfully or knowingly violated this subsection or the regulations . . . .", the court may triple the damage award. See 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3) (emphasis added).

By sending the Fax to me, you violated 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1) and are now liable to pay damages to me of not less than $500 under 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3). I believe you willfully or knowingly violated the Act, which would make you liable to pay me $1,500. I am willing to waive my right to seek damages of $1,500 and will agree not to file a 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1) lawsuit against you if you pay me $500 on or before ______________, 2004.

If you do not pay me $500 by the deadline for payment, I intend to sue you in <city>, <state>, for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. If you force me to sue you, I will not settle for less than $1,000 and will seek triple damages of $1,500. I also demand that you immediately cease and desist from sending any facsimiles to me in the future.

For information about the Act, see the article entitled "Junk Fax Law - the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991," which can be viewed on the internet at http://www.keytlaw.com/faxes/junkfaxlaw.htm. This article contains links to the complete statute, the federal regulations interpreting the Act, several junk fax articles and articles on a recent class action lawsuit called "Nicholson v. Hooters of Augusta, Inc.," (Richmond County, Georgia, Superior Court case number 95-RCCV-616). Hooters hired a fax service that sent six unsolicited junk faxes to each of 1,321 fax numbers. In April of 2001, the court ordered Hooters to pay treble damages of $11,889,000.

I am sending you a copy of this letter by regular first class mail in case you refuse to accept the certified mail, return receipt requested version of this letter.

<insert signature block for junk fax recipient>

cc: <insert name of your lawyer>, Attorney

---------------End of Letter--------------

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Write down the number that the fax comes from. Tape three pieces of black construction paper together, end-to-end. Reply to the fax and feed one of the ends in. Then, when it starts to come back out of the fax machine, wrap the other end around and tape it together so it creates a never-ending roll of black paper.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Put a computer on the fax line to capture the incoming faxes. Print out what you want.

my dad's business' fax machine has software to do that, but it's way to old (win3.1 era). The company no longer supports the fax machine and no longer has software for it.
My dad gets so pissed off @ fax spam that when he has spare time, he sits there for hours on end sending back to the spammer 100's of faxes saying "phok" on one page, and "you" on the next page...he'll rotate the two pages for hours on end and sometimes have his employees continue it.

 

[jagr10]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
Write down the number that the fax comes from. Tape three pieces of black construction paper together, end-to-end. Reply to the fax and feed one of the ends in. Then, when it starts to come back out of the fax machine, wrap the other end around and tape it together so it creates a never-ending roll of black paper.

lol

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: jagr10

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
Write down the number that the fax comes from. Tape three pieces of black construction paper together, end-to-end. Reply to the fax and feed one of the ends in. Then, when it starts to come back out of the fax machine, wrap the other end around and tape it together so it creates a never-ending roll of black paper.

lol

THAT OWNS!!!!!!!!! i'm gonna suggest using black contruction paper to my Dad...muahahahhaha

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
Write down the number that the fax comes from. Tape three pieces of black construction paper together, end-to-end. Reply to the fax and feed one of the ends in. Then, when it starts to come back out of the fax machine, wrap the other end around and tape it together so it creates a never-ending roll of black paper.

Done it. If you get their fax machine, you'll either drain their ink/toner cartridge or burn out their thermal print head. Serves 'em right.

 

[CaseTragedy]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
Write down the number that the fax comes from. Tape three pieces of black construction paper together, end-to-end. Reply to the fax and feed one of the ends in. Then, when it starts to come back out of the fax machine, wrap the other end around and tape it together so it creates a never-ending roll of black paper.

Great idea. I'll keep that in mind. I'm actually hoping to be spammed now!


-Case

 

[AmericasTeam]

My brother was getting fax spam and threatened the sending company with a lawsuit. Company settled for $500. Hasn't gotten one since.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: guyver01
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 prohibits using a telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to send an unsolicited advertisement (a "junk fax") to a telephone facsimile machine.



Sample Junk Fax Demand Letter
<date>

CERTIFIED MAIL

RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

<name of junk fax sender>

<address of junk fax sender>



<junk fax sender>

c/o <name of junk fax sender's statutory agent>

<address of statutory agent>

Re: <junk fax recipient>, v. <name of junk fax sender>

To Whom It May Concern:

....

I am sending you a copy of this letter by regular first class mail in case you refuse to accept the certified mail, return receipt requested version of this letter.

<insert signature block for junk fax recipient>

cc: <insert name of your lawyer>, Attorney

---------------End of Letter--------------

The similar one of these for spam email has worked so well to curb the practice.

 

[BigSmooth]

I've even gotten fax spam on my cell phone! :|

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I've even gotten fax spam on my cell phone! :|

that's gotta be a small roll of paper you have in there.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I've even gotten fax spam on my cell phone! :|

that's gotta be a small roll of paper you have in there.

No, my voicemail system can handle faxes, I got one and I forwarded it to my work fax machine. Now I know not to bother because it will just be spam.