Identifying E-mail Hoaxes and Scams

“Send to all your friends!” “Send to everyone in your address book!” You know my advice;  just hit Delete when you see those words!

Even worse are the e-mails offering unbelievable deals and coupons — only for you and your friends!

How do you decide if something is legit that peaks your interest just enough to cause an itch to send it along to your contacts? Before you send an e-mail, (and this includes forwards sent to you from someone who had it forwarded to them) it is your responsibility to decide if the e-mail is even factual. Period. If you are not sure — Delete!

Unfortunately, just from the e-mails that get forwarded to me, it seems that many folks leave common sense on the floor when they turn on their computers. At least once a day I find myself shaking my head and saying “How could you believe that!?”.

Because someone else believed it and forwarded to you? Not good enough! Just because others did not make the effort to verify e-mails sent to them, doesn’t mean you were hit with the dummy stick and then follow in suit. Because an e-mail is sent to you by someone you may know or trust does not mean that you can shrug off your responsibility on what you choose to pass on to others.

Here are several sites that cover hoaxes, scams and chain letters so that you don’t look foolish propagating B.S.:

• Snopes
• Hoaxbusters
• Symantec Virus Hoaxes

Keep in mind that when you forward on information you are in essence promoting and recommending that information. Show your stamp of approval and forward only those e-mails that are true and correct. Not only will you save yourself embarrassment but those you communicate with will appreciate you only sending them valuable and authentic information.

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