Don't know what to believe regarding some of your forwarded internet email. If you have been using e-mail for long, you have probably received forwarded messages with some amazing claims and remarkable stories. E-mail is a wonderfully convenient way to communicate with family and friends, but it is also a great way to pass along misinformation.
Urban legends, hoaxes, requests for help, virus warnings, and funny or inspirational stories pass from inbox to inbox like fire through dry grass. Most are just silly or entertaining, but some spread misunderstanding or make inappropriate requests for information. Unlike SPAM, these messages often come from people you know. A friend or family member received the e-mail and couldn't resist the urge to pass it along, often prefacing the message with an embarrassed, "I know it's dumb, but I thought it was worth a try."
Here are a few examples of common e-mail hoaxes. All of the following are false.
The picture above claims to show a shark participating in British military exercises off the coast of South Africa.
Urban legends, hoaxes, requests for help, virus warnings, and funny or inspirational stories pass from inbox to inbox like fire through dry grass. Most are just silly or entertaining, but some spread misunderstanding or make inappropriate requests for information. Unlike SPAM, these messages often come from people you know. A friend or family member received the e-mail and couldn't resist the urge to pass it along, often prefacing the message with an embarrassed, "I know it's dumb, but I thought it was worth a try."
Here are a few examples of common e-mail hoaxes. All of the following are false.
The picture above claims to show a shark participating in British military exercises off the coast of South Africa.
One urban legend currently popping up in inboxes alleges that Oliver North warned congress about Osama Bin Laden in 1987 during the Iran-Contra hearings.
Another favorite is an e-mail message claiming that Bill Gates (or Microsoft, or AOL or all three, depending on the version of this hoax you see) will track your e-mail and give you $5 for every person you forward the message to and additional money for each forward the message receives after that.A more sinister e-mail scam claims to be a letter from a wealthy, displaced Nigerian who needs your help (and your bank account) to retrieve some money.
So, how do you cut through the confusion? Here are a few tips that may help.
First, remember the old adage, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Second, you should probably be suspicious if the message contains wild claims and the original message was not written by someone you know.
Third, think twice if the e-mail encourages you to pass it along or promises you something if you mail it to others.
Fourth, the harder the message works to convince you that it's true, the more skeptical you should be. Phrases like, "I heard this story first hand, " or, "I didn't believe this either until I . . .," can be warning signs.
There are many websites that provide more information about popular e-mail legends and hoaxes. Most of them will allow you to search a database of messages by keywords or phrases. You will probably find one site you like more than others, but it may be helpful to check a few sites if you are looking for information on a particular message.
Here are a few debunking sites for you to try:
http://hoaxinfo.com/
http://www.urbanlegends.com/
http://www.snopes.com/
http://hoaxinfo.com/http://www.urbanlegends.com/
Next time you receive an e-mail that is so good you just have to pass it on, think twice. You may spare your friends some confusion and yourself some embarrassment.
First, remember the old adage, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Second, you should probably be suspicious if the message contains wild claims and the original message was not written by someone you know.
Third, think twice if the e-mail encourages you to pass it along or promises you something if you mail it to others.
Fourth, the harder the message works to convince you that it's true, the more skeptical you should be. Phrases like, "I heard this story first hand, " or, "I didn't believe this either until I . . .," can be warning signs.
There are many websites that provide more information about popular e-mail legends and hoaxes. Most of them will allow you to search a database of messages by keywords or phrases. You will probably find one site you like more than others, but it may be helpful to check a few sites if you are looking for information on a particular message.
Here are a few debunking sites for you to try:
http://hoaxinfo.com/
http://www.urbanlegends.com/
http://www.snopes.com/
http://hoaxinfo.com/http://www.urbanlegends.com/
Next time you receive an e-mail that is so good you just have to pass it on, think twice. You may spare your friends some confusion and yourself some embarrassment.
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