E-mail spam is not just unwanted, it can be offensive. Pornographic spam causes many consumer complaints. Decrease the number of spam e-mails you receive by making it difficult for spammers to get and use your e-mail address.

• Don't use an obvious e-mail address, such as JaneDoe@isp.com. Instead use numbers or other digits, such as Jane4oe6@isp.com.
• Use one e-mail address for close friends and family and another for everyone else. Free addresses are available from Yahoo! and Hotmail. You can also get a disposable forwarding address from www.spammotel.com. If an address attracts too much spam, get rid of it and establish a new one.
• Don't post your e-mail address on a public web page. Spammers use software that harvests text addresses. Substitute "janedoe at isp.com" for "janedoe@isp.com." Or display your address as a graphic image, not text.
• Don't enter your address on a website before you check its privacy policy.
• Uncheck any check boxes. These often grant the site or its partners permission to contact you.
• Don't click on an e-mail's "unsubscribe" link unless you trust the sender. This action tells the sender you're there.
• Never forward chain letters, petitions or virus warnings. All could be a spammer's trick to collect addresses.
• Disable your e-mail "preview pane." This stops spam from reporting to its sender that you've received it.
• Choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that filters e-mail. If you get lots of spam, your ISP may not be filtering effectively.
• Use spam-blocking software. Web browser software often includes free filtering options. You can also purchase special software that will accomplish this task.
• Report spam. Alert your ISP that spam is slipping through its filters. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also wants to know about "unsolicited commercial e-mail." Forward spam to uce@ftc.gov.

Some e-mail users have lost money to bogus offers that arrived as spam in their in-box. Con artists are very cunning; they know how to make their claims seem legitimate. Some spam messages ask for your business, others invite you to a website with a detailed pitch. Either way, these tips can help you avoid spam scams:

• Protect your personal information. Share credit card or other personal information only when you're buying from a company you know and trust.
• Know with whom you're dealing. Don't do business with any company that won't provide its name, street address, and telephone number.
• Take your time. Resist the urge to "act now" despite the offer and terms. Once you turn over your money, you might never get it back.
• Read the small print. Get all promises in writing and review them carefully before you make a payment or sign a contract.
• Never pay for a "free" gift. Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize. If it's free or a gift, you shouldn't have to pay for it. Free means free.

The FTC has many online publications about Internet usage topics including online auctions, e-mail, spam, shopping and privacy protection. Visit www.ftc.gov.