Follows is the fulltext (minus a me-specific header or two) of the
autoresponse from the IRS system that has been being discussed as of recently.
Relative to their system loading, I find it interesting to note that the
autoresponse is being generated using Eudora Pro (a great mailer - I use it
myself, but underwhelming for the task of individually autoreplying to many
messages).
|-------------
[snip - headers generated by my autoforward between two accounts]
Received: from tcs_gateway2.treas.gov (tcs-gateway2.treas.gov [204.151.246.2])
[snip - my local info]
Received: by tcs_gateway2.treas.gov id
(InterLock SMTP Gateway 3.0 for PSE(_at_)professional(_dot_)org);
Wed, 24 Sep 1997 14:11:55 -0400
Received: by tcs_gateway2.treas.gov (Internal Mail Agent-2);
Wed, 24 Sep 1997 14:11:55 -0400
Received: by tcs_gateway2.treas.gov (Internal Mail Agent-1);
Wed, 24 Sep 1997 14:11:55 -0400
Received: by tcs_gateway2.treas.gov (Internal Mail Agent-0);
Wed, 24 Sep 1997 14:11:55 -0400
Message-Id:
<3(_dot_)0(_dot_)3(_dot_)32(_dot_)19970924124737(_dot_)006ba174(_at_)nocs(_dot_)insp(_dot_)irs(_dot_)gov>
Precedence: bulk
X-Sender: maildrop(_at_)nocs(_dot_)insp(_dot_)irs(_dot_)gov
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.3 (32)
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 12:47:37 -0400
[snip - To: my request address]
From: Internal Security <net-abuse(_at_)nocs(_dot_)insp(_dot_)irs(_dot_)gov>
Subject: Re: Request for net-abuse policy message
In-Reply-To:
<3(_dot_)0(_dot_)3(_dot_)32(_dot_)19970923184856(_dot_)007baea0(_at_)ix10(_dot_)ix(_dot_)netcom(_dot_)com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
At 06:48 PM 9/23/97 -0700, you wrote:
I am hoping that this message will result in a policy message for this
address, so that I can effectively quell concern of a hoax in the procmail
discussion list.
Should it be read by Inspector Andrew Fried, I would appreciate a reply to
that effect -- some people are harder to convince than others...
Thank you.
This message was generated and sent via an auto responder. For those of
you receiving multiple copies of this message, I apologize. I plan on
leaving this auto-responder up for approximately 30 days in hopes of
reaching everyone that sends messages to this list. - AF
--------
Over the past six months, a significant number of individuals have begun
forwarding multiple copies of every spam message they receive to the IRS
and other federal agencies. Frequently, these messages are transmitted via
procmail filters and are not being screened by the recipient. The result
is that literally thousands of messages are being forwarded to the IRS
every week with complaints that fall outside of the Agency's jurisdiction.
The irony is that those complaining about SPAM have become offenders
themselves.
This situation was further exasperated recently where a programming glitch
in an automated mail filter caused what effectively was an email bomb
attack on the IRS. The individual responsible could have faced federal
criminal charges for their negligence.
Effective immediately, please remove "net-abuse" from all automated mail
responders. I'm going to try to leave the net-abuse address online, but
I'm asking for your help in being more selective in your referrals. I can't
do anything about SPAM, UCE or pyramid schemes so please don't forward them
here. You are welcome to report instances of off-shore money laundering,
"cheat the IRS" type UCE mailings and anything dealing with "hate mail"
directed towards the IRS and its employees.
I deeply regret not being able to do more to help out but want you to
assure you that I sympathize with your plight and share the same
frustrations you do about the SPAM/UCE/MMF situation.
Regards,
Inspector Andrew Fried
IRS Internal Security