is Validity SenderScore just a professional Scam?

Question

I ask that, not in rant, but candidly.

We operate a small mail server, on a fixed IP.
Supporting a couple of local charities, emailing parents of kids once or twice a week. Info about program, meetings, etc.
Less than 100 addresses. All ASKING to receive our emails.
Have for years.

Registed with JMRP & SNDS,
IP comes up 100% clean with Multi-Valli checks, except for SenderScore.

We use DMARC, other checks, and even add the silly "unsubscribe" headers.

Yet, in the last two weeks - Validity senderscore "score" has declined to the point where Microsoft Hotmail, Live, and Outlook are blocking, no BLACK HOLING our emails.

I even setup a free outlook.com account to test it, and yup. Not in spam, no NDR, I can even get a successful delivery report - but the mail just never arrives.

I opened a case with Sender Mail Support at Microsoft, and they admitted that they use Validity's product, but wouldn't talk about a white list.

Talked to Validity, and they're happy to take my money to learn how to "improve my score".

I asked for a quote, explained exactly who we are - and they went silent initially.
Now telling me that they can't help me.
They admit they can HURT me, just not help me.

Anyone know how to get through to anyone?

I have opened two fresh cases at Microsoft, but without some sort of escallation - I fear no action.

Best part:
Validity support's answer is;

"Your email volume is too low, so we can't raise your score."

Scam? Well orchestrated scam?

I have a hard time believing that Microsoft would associate themselves with a company who operates with such obvious imbalance, but they do.

Help?

Answer 1

<LOL>
Yes, it's an exchange server sending.

Yes, it's ALL microsoft free mail services - Live.com, Hotmal.com, Hotmail.X, Outlook.com

Yes, ALL of these Microsoft services are NOT issuing NDRs to the emails - they are simply junking them. (isn't that breaking the Standards, technically???)

Yes, I can assure you that everyone on a non-MS mail service (gmail, yahoo, corporate ones, etc) all receive the mail.

Hotmail/Live/Outlook "sender mail support", has affirmed that they use the Validity product.

If I run our IP though https://multirbl.valli.org/lookup/ - checking just about every whitelist, blacklist, and every other type of list - we come up "green & clean", and even white, on EVERY entry, except SenderScore.

If I contact them to inquire, they have no ability to "delist" or "adjust scores" they say, and they want to book a sales call to discuss their services.

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So - why I asked the Exchange community, in this forum, is because I have a problem getting mail to flow, from an on premise exchange server, to a specific recipient group.

The fact that the makers of Exchange are ALSO the owners and managers of this recipient group, I think, SHOULD BE a happy coincidence - and someone here could maybe put me in touch with someone on that team? :-)

I have repeatedly asked for human contact, or escallation, from the cases that "hotmail sender support" keeps opening and closing, and while different names sign the email, they keep sending out the same form letter...

Please, a phone number? An email address? have someone call me? :-)
905 is the first part, then 692 and then dial 0693 if you can discipher what I am doing here.

Not a newb folks. :-)

Answer 2

And, before someone from the Hotmail team asks... yes, I am part of the JMRP and SNDS - have been for years. :-)