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Some junk mail unsubscribe options are actually phishing scams

Published: September 07, 2013 10:00 AM

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It seems more common with junk mail these days that the "unsubscribe" function requires that you type in your e-mail address to confirm it. Is it OK to do this or is it just a phishing scam? And if it isn't a good idea, how do you get rid of this type of mail?—Paul Nau, Nashville, TN

We don't recommend that you type your e-mail into an unsubscribe box. It may well be used as a way to confirm that your address is valid, and most legitimate mailers will automatically enter your e-mail address on the unsubscribe page. Otherwise, just ignore the junk mail.

For more information, visit our Internet security guide.

—Consumer Reports

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