[squicscor]

If you're getting unsolicited e-mails from people you don't know, you can bet the rent money they're either hoaxes or scams.

Do NOT respond. If you do, you verify that yours is an active e-mail address, and more spam will follow.

[apatteopipt]

I generally just don't reply, but if it's habitual by some contact of mine, I just send a note asking them to stop doing that. If they don't stop, I ask again and tell them I'll have to blacklist them if they don't comply.

I get from 40-100 emails aggregate per day from my various addresses, so I'm not shy about saying (nicely at first) that I don't have time for that crap.

I don't bother disproving them. Waste of time. I prefer to do my time-wasting here.

[tussinelde]

Read respond or be restricted

[boffincash]

If I don;t know the sender, it gets deleted.

[heennaRaf]

I don't give my email address to stupid people.

[elalmhicabalp]

2) Delete them as soon as you get them

I have an aunt that sends many things. I see no reason to be cruel, I just delete them.

[pavelChe]

I often send an offensive response just to get a chuckle out of the spammer's reply, but usually delete. Example:

> Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:50:44 -0800
> From: kastrup_n@yahoo.com
> Subject: RE: RE: Saying hi, it's Lisa
>
> hi !!!! not to sound like a dork but I am so excited you wrote back I dont have much time to reply since I'm at work and they get pissy if they see us using personal email but I just wanted to let you know I got your message and will write back later. I dont remember if I told you but I am not on myspace anymore, I have this blog page here instead: [removed, NSFW unsurprisingly] it should get you atleast a little updated on me, will write more later! *kiss ~Lisa
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> To: kastrup_n@yahoo.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 11:19:16 AM
> Subject: RE: Saying hi, it's Lisa
>
> So... you are a spambot, right? I don't recall chatting with anyone
> as incredibly butt-ugly as yourself, so that's all I can conclude.
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> > Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2009 10:30:32 -0600
> > From: kastrup_n@yahoo.com
> > Subject: Saying hi, it's Lisa
> >
> > hi its been something like a month since we last spoke but I was
> thinking about you and thought it might be nice to say a hello and see
> how you have been how have things been going? you remember me? hehe
> prolly not huh? we didnt chat for long and it has been awhile. if you
> dont remember me i wont be offended :P and if you still interested in
> meeting up then lets chat! write me back to this email
> >
> > write back soon and take care!
> >
> > Lisa
> >
> > PS I attached a photo of me to jog your memory incase you forgot! I
> remember peoples faces better then email address or names lol

Who actually falls for this crap? Somebody must if it continues to be profitable...

[Soresbox]

Who actually falls for this crap? Somebody must if it continues to be profitable...

Well, clearly you did.
As Zkribbler very well explained above:
Do NOT respond. If you do, you verify that yours is an active e-mail address, and more spam will follow.