in the mailbox in order to send them on. Now, it just takes a click of the "forward" button to perhaps make a fool of yourself in an instant.

It only takes a minute to check out an Internet chain letter. There are two well-known sources. They are Snopes.com and Hoaxbusters at hoaxbusters.ciac.org. Both have simple and useful search capabilities. Check before you hit the forward button.

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Internet hoaxes have been around for a long as there has been an Internet. Many of them are circulated as part of Internet "chain letters," often containing the hoax story, a promise of good fortune if you follow the instructions and a threat of bad fortune if you don't.

These are most often circulated by friends to other friends. Why would we want to threaten our friends? Seems like bad form to me. I don't like being threatened. So stop it. Don't send me ANYTHING that contains a threat like "if you delete this, you'll have three years bad luck." I already had the bad luck - I read the email because you are my friend.

The promise and the threat are designed to emotionally manipulate the recipient into perpetuating the chain. Again, why would we want to manipulate those who are our friends? If we wanted to perpetuate an Internet hoax, wouldn't it be better to manipulate and threaten our enemies?

We all love to share inspirational stories with our friends and associates - and we should. The problem with perpetuating hoaxes on our friends is that we risk losing credibility.

Wouldn't it be better if we took a moment to check out these things before we send them on? Why risk losing credibility with people we care about? Most of these hoaxes have been kicking around so long that many people who receive them instantly recognize them as fakes. They probably looked them up two or three years ago and discovered their dodgy origins.

It used to be a bit more difficult to perpetuate a chain letter. You had to go make copies, write out envelopes, pay for postage and stick them in the mailbox in order to send them on. Now, it just takes a click of the "forward" button to perhaps make a fool of yourself in an instant.

It only takes a minute to check out an Internet chain letter. There are two well-known sources. They are Snopes.com and Hoaxbusters at hoaxbusters.ciac.org. Both have simple and useful search capabilities. Check before you hit the forward button.

How

me. I don't like being threatened. So stop it. Don't send me ANYTHING that contains a threat like "if you delete this, you'll have three years bad luck." I already had the bad luck - I read the email because you are my friend.

The promise and the threat are designed to emotionally manipulate the recipient into perpetuating the chain. Again, why would we want to manipulate those who are our friends? If we wanted to perpetuate an Internet hoax, wouldn't it be better to manipulate and threaten our enemies?

We all love to share inspirational stories with our friends and associates - and we should. The problem with perpetuating hoaxes on our friends is that we risk losing credibility.

Wouldn't it be better if we took a moment to check out these things before we send them on? Why risk losing credibility with people we care about? Most of these hoaxes have been kicking around so long that many people who receive them instantly recognize them as fakes. They probably looked them up two or three years ago and discovered their dodgy origins.

It used to be a bit more difficult to perpetuate a chain letter. You had to go make copies, write out envelopes, pay for postage and stick them in the mailbox in order to send them on. Now, it just takes a click of the "forward" button to perhaps make a fool of yourself in an instant.

It only takes a minute to check out an Internet chain letter. There are two well-known sources. They are Snopes.com and Hoaxbusters at hoaxbusters.ciac.org. Both have simple and useful search capabilities. Check before you hit the forward button.

Ho

ds? If we wanted to perpetuate an Internet hoax, wouldn't it be better to manipulate and threaten our enemies?

We all love to share inspirational stories with our friends and associates - and we should. The problem with perpetuating hoaxes on our friends is that we risk losing credibility.

Wouldn't it be better if we took a moment to check out these things before we send them on? Why risk losing credibility with people we care about? Most of these hoaxes have been kicking around so long that many people who receive them instantly recognize them as fakes. They probably looked them up two or three years ago and discovered their dodgy origins.

It used to be a bit more difficult to perpetuate a chain letter. You had to go make copies, write out envelopes, pay for postage and stick them in the mailbox in order to send them on. Now, it just takes a click of the "forward" button to perhaps make a fool of yourself in an instant.

It only takes a minute to check out an Internet chain letter. There are two well-known sources. They are Snopes.com and Hoaxbusters at hoaxbusters.ciac.org. Both have simple and useful search capabilities. Check before you hit the forward button.

Ho

osing credibility with people we care about? Most of these hoaxes have been kicking around so long that many people who receive them instantly recognize them as fakes. They probably looked them up two or three years ago and discovered their dodgy origins.

It used to be a bit more difficult to perpetuate a chain letter. You had to go make copies, write out envelopes, pay for postage and stick them in the mailbox in order to send them on. Now, it just takes a click of the "forward" button to perhaps make a fool of yourself in an instant.

It only takes a minute to check out an Internet chain letter. There are two well-known sources. They are Snopes.com and Hoaxbusters at hoaxbusters.ciac.org. Both have simple and useful search capabilities. Check before you hit the forward button.

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in the mailbox in order to send them on. Now, it just takes a click of the "forward" button to perhaps make a fool of yourself in an instant.

It only takes a minute to check out an Internet chain letter. There are two well-known sources. They are Snopes.com and Hoaxbusters at hoaxbusters.ciac.org. Both have simple and useful search capabilities. Check before you hit the forward button.

How do you recognize an Internet hoax? Any email that asks to be forwarded is an immediate suspect. Any email containing a promise of good fortune, or a threat of bad fortune is a suspect. Any story that seems too good to be true is a suspect. And unfortunately, any email that tugs at our heartstrings with tales of sickness and misfortune (especially involving children) has to be suspect.

Is there a chance that an email that fits the above criteria for suspicion is legitimate. Yes, but a very small chance. Don't forward any suspect email until you have checked it out.

I know it annoys a lot of you when your email gets slammed with jokes, hoaxes, chain letters and the like. It annoys me, too. But I do appreciate receiving real inspirational stuff from friends and associates. All I ask is that you be just a bit more discriminate in what you send.