Word to the Wise: Someone Could be Mining Your Forwarded E-Mails

By "mining" we mean collecting e-mail addresses, so that's why when I send out a mass mailing, I usually put multiple e-mail addresses into "BCC" (blind carbon copy). Source of following article: Scambusters.org

You probably think of the spam scam artists as your enemy.
But did you know that you could actually be helping them with
their evil trade?

You may be surprised at how easy it is for them to collect
information from a few simple things you might do without
realizing you're helping them.

This is how they do it... (Note for Mac users: All of these
apply to Mac users as well, except that #4 and #5 have not
been problems for Mac users so far. That means this issue is
for Mac users as well.)


1. Collecting Addresses from Emails You Forward

Most people forward emails. But some seem obsessed with the
idea of passing on jokes, photos, sensational or bizarre
stories or pleas for help.

In particular, they're just suckers for forwarding those email
spam messages that urge you to pass them on to 10 other
people, to show you care, or face dire consequences.

Apart from bogging down the Internet, many of these willing
forwarders don't realize they're also passing around lists of
email addresses.

Just think of how many of these you've seen where the names of
previous recipients are still in the body of the message,
which may eventually fall into the hands of spammers.

In some cases, spammers actually offer prizes if you not
only forward the email to your 10 buddies but also "cc" it
back to them.

Of course, you don't get a prize -- the spammer gets that:
his list of addresses.

Action: We definitely advise against forwarding unnecessary
stuff, especially chain letters that urge you to pass them on
to others or face disaster.

But if you really must join this hoopla, delete any previous
email addresses from inside the message and use the "bcc"
(blind carbon copy) line for the addressees you send to.

Of course, there's no guaranteeing they'll delete your address
which will now be inside the spam email if they pass it on!

Scambusters.org has 7 tips for helping you reduce or stop spam.