Ugh! I just created a domain for a class using iHost/Plesk and made the mistake of not paying for the privacy right away. On the same day I crated the odmain, i belatedly requested the add-on, but it's taken a while. Since I created the domain I have been inundated with emails and phone calls. Very annoying and frustrating
You've nailed it. Businesses who shield their whois data look about as credible as these scammers who misuse the whois contact data. I grudgingly live with this kind of intrusion for now until either IANA or the registrars track down who is leaking this data and address the problem. I'm not holding my breath.