This has been my experience too. I have <lastname>@gmail since 2004, and have for the last decade at least used a separate domain for all my accounts.
I haven't noticed many leaks/sales at all of my specific account addresses. I get almost all my spam on my regular gmail, and promotions for companies that my namesakes have signed up for, left my email at a store, etc.
I have identified several people from the variety of emails I get, including work/school/personal.
> But some of the companies responsible of the subscriptions, like Paypal, are assholes. They allow the creation of accounts without verifying the email, then refuse to admit it's their problem and do something about it.
This is my absolute biggest gripe. Someone signed up for AT&T using my email. I contacted their support on facebook, and even after explaining the whole issue they asked my for my phone number, and recommended I call their support. I'm not even in the country. They stopped responding when I pointed that out.
While I want to trash AT&T (deservedly), they're unfortunately not alone in that behavior.
I haven't noticed many leaks/sales at all of my specific account addresses. I get almost all my spam on my regular gmail, and promotions for companies that my namesakes have signed up for, left my email at a store, etc.
I have identified several people from the variety of emails I get, including work/school/personal.
> But some of the companies responsible of the subscriptions, like Paypal, are assholes. They allow the creation of accounts without verifying the email, then refuse to admit it's their problem and do something about it.
This is my absolute biggest gripe. Someone signed up for AT&T using my email. I contacted their support on facebook, and even after explaining the whole issue they asked my for my phone number, and recommended I call their support. I'm not even in the country. They stopped responding when I pointed that out.
While I want to trash AT&T (deservedly), they're unfortunately not alone in that behavior.