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Email Hoaxes

Everyday email hoaxes are passed on by unsuspecting email users. For the most part, they are simply annoyances that should be deleted as soon as you spot them. Passing them along is a waste of bandwith and money. They are time consuming and difficult to remove off systems where they exist. Occasionally they can do real damage when they tell people they need to delete valid files from their computers.

How to Spot an Email Hoax

1. If you see the phrase "Forward this to everyone you know" it's most likely a hoax. There is no such thing as an email tracking program. Your email account will not be closed if you don't forward the message. Neither you nor anyone else will receive money for forwarding messages.
    
2. Read the message carefully and think about it logically. Are there inconsistencies in the message? Most hoaxes violate common sense and make obviously false claims.
    
3. Almost any chain email you receive (emails that have been forwarded many times) is likely to be a hoax.
    
4. If you see a statement that says "This is not a hoax" or "This is not an urban legend" it probably actually is.
    
5. How is it written? Is the language overly emphatic? Do they use a lot of exclamation points? This email is written to play on your emotions and not your common sense.

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Page last updated January 26, 2008