Are sites that want signups fronts for spammers?

I often sign up at sites in order to get what ever it is that they are offering. All of the sites have the usual "we will not give out your email address and we do not tolerate spam." I use an email address specifically for these signups but I get a horrendous amount of spam.

As I am getting sick and tired of spam in the signup email account I tried an experiment.

2 days ago I opened a new email address, went to one site and signed up so I could get the freebie they were offering. It is a site that I already belong to with another email address. It also requires the standard "check email to activate your account."

This is the only site that I have used my new email with.

I am now getting spam in that email account.

I also did the same thing another 5 times (new email addresses and 5 other sites) and the same thing started happening.

So, would I be right in assuming that:

• My email address has been given out
• these type of websites are fronts for a scummy scammy spammer?

Should I report these sites and if so where? Or should I just leave it, delete the email accounts, unsubscribe from all of the sites I have signed up to and when I want stuff just sign up, get the stuff then unsubscribe straight away?

Your advise and guidance will be greatly appreciated