What happens if someone responds to an automated email?

Hey guys,

What happens if a user is sent an email from a script and replies to it?
Where does it go?
What effect will it have on my server?

Thanks,
Tony

 

If the reply-to address is unattended it will go to whatever the server is configured to do. This is typically :fail or :blackhole, but can be setup to forward to an email box. The user may or may not receive a bounce message, again depending on how the server is configured. If the reply-to address is a real mailbox, it will be delivered and treated just like normal email.

 

If it is from a spammer they will put your email in a got response category so, they can spam you more.

 

How do you set it up to forward to an email address?

Thanks,
Tony

 

What server setup are you using? Normally you would just create a forwarding email address in your control panel. Then make sure to set a reply-to header in the function that sends the mail.

 

If you want the reply to go to a particular email address, add a ReplyTo: header with that address. Almost every email program will use that when the user replies.