Is the "Virus
Alert" your aunt just sent you a valid one? Is Microsoft really
going to pay you $200 if you forward an Email for them to 10 of your
friends? Is the government really passing a law that would charge
everyone 5 cents for every Email they send?
As "participants" on the Internet, we are all possible "targets"
for Email scams, practical jokes, and other such mischief. The
best way to arm yourself against these things is to be SMART! Upon
getting one of these "warnings" or "scams", BEFORE you react to it
and send it on to YOUR family and friends, CHECK IT OUT!! And this
can be EASY!!
A great site to visit and find out was is true and what is not is
http://www.snopes.com/snopes.asp I have used this site
many times.
Another place to go is to David Emery's "Urban Legends and
Folklore" page at:
http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
These sites will permit you to check out virtually ANY "alert",
"warning", or possible "scam" that you might find in your Email
Inbox. This is where you find out if that story being circulated on
the web is true or not!! Like the veteran that was turned down by Wal-Mart! It was not true
and of course 95% of the crap that gets forwarded around is not. You
will love these sites! A quick check can help you quickly
determine what is valid and what is not ... AND could save you some
embarrassment. So, BEFORE you forward "bad information" to your
family, friends, and acquaintances ... check it out!! You'll be
glad you did!
