[arp242]

> If even their most basic tier only cost a few quid a year, it would probably stop spam usage by 99%

Not really; they will just sign up. Probably using a stolen card (I assume? I have no way to check.)

Source: have worked for email provider. Have you seen one of those films where one guy fends off hordes of zombies or other "bad guys"? It's like that. Anything that can send email will attract hordes of twats trying to spam the shit out of it. The main difference is that the spammers are more despicable subhuman twats.

[ChrisRR]

Yes but I've also seen enough scam investigation videos where they just create email addresses and phone numbers non-stop using free services just because there's no penalty for doing so. If creating a new email cost them £3 a time then they'd probably just move onto someone else's free service.