Common E-mail Hoaxes
The following is a list of some of the
more popular internet hoaxes, Urban Legends, Rumors, and Junk, that are being widely
circulated through Your E-mail. Please familiarize yourself with these lies and see to it
that you do not fall prey to this garbage.
If you are looking for a particular hoax
that you might have received you might try using your Browsers find function. Try hitting
the control button and the 'F' key, and type in key words of the Hoax. Or pick the edit
menu and choose find on this page, for Internet Explorer users.
We at Oddballz Ink. Unlimited
feel that the more people who read this page, the sooner these emails will get to
someone's trash can and out of cyber traffic.
Please send this link to everyone you know in order to help stop this misuse
of the internet. Thanks for your help. (Please,
do not copy and send, or send page by email, as that is just more wasted bandwidth.) Thanx.
<=> Real Virus's will
be marked {Virus} and titles will
be preceded and followed by these indicators " *** ".
<=> Some of these are Hoaxes, deliberately written to mislead the public at large.
<=> Some are Rumors,
easily mistaken for possible truths, but are commonly felonious.
<=> Some are called Urban
Legends, pieces that give you just enough info to exude credibility but are in
fact false.
<=> Almost all of these are Junk.
Trash that pollutes the internet that all of us love to use.
Halloween Mall Scare
For the full REAL story please check here. {Hoax}
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/afgani-warning.htm
Two Way Mirrors In Dressing rooms
This little internet Gem gives you instructions on how to tell if the mirror in the
dressing room is hiding a peeping Tom. I am sure it will have a slew of morons practicing
the quick and simple test in department stores around the world. As for me I kinda like
the idea that some one could be watching, as a matter of fact I enjoy thinking that there
is. So I ain't just wagglin my willy at sheet of reflective glass. {Junk}
The All Seeing Eye Virus
Wow!!! This one allegedly comes with a subject line 'We Are Watching You'. I didn't
do research on this one for the simple fact that it was written exactly like the
Kali Virus (below). It claims someone found away to hack Norton Utilities to using the
reformat function to erase your hard drive. THANK GOD I DON"T HAVE A VIRUS SCAN
PROGRAM, I could be in trouble!!!! {Hoax}
Money From The Net - E-mail Tracking
And here we go again. The latest in the email tracking, forward and receive big
bucks crap. $413 for everyone you send to and $139 for whoever they send it to. What moron
came up with these numbers. I could see a radio promotion using station frequency, but
what idiot could believe this. Only Bill Gates could afford this and believe you me, Bill
has got other plans for his money. {Hoax}
"Lets Watch TV" The KALI Virus
Yet another Virus claiming to be worse than Melissa. Remember how Quickly word
spread about Melissa, there is your first clue. Jesus God! I'm not even gonna turn my
puter on anymore, cuz I'm affeared somethin might happen to it. Lord give me strength,
afor I kill someone. {Hoax}
Virus Alert; An Internet Flower For You
These amuse me, because they remind me of the redneck Virus. Um, we are to stupid
to write our own virus so we will just make one up and send out a mass warning to scare
folks. It is felonious information and should be crapped canned no sooner than it is
received. {Hoax}
Columbia House Email Giveaway
Let me reiterate! This one states that you will get ten free CD's by writing to
Cyber promotions and more if you email it to a friend. I submit to you that it is a
falsehood. Your first clue is that the man in charge is named Richard Douche, or Dick as
his friends know him. DICK DOUCHE! Get it? It is a clever ruse thought up by some cheese
eating high school boy. I man by that name would never be allowed to sign his name to
company emails, for chrissakes! It Just wouldn't happen, I tell ya! {Hoax}
HIV Tainted Needles At The Gas Pump
Oh your going to participate in this years GAS OUT Movement (remember
that fiasco), one way or ta other. Captain Abraham Sand (fictitious character) advises you
to be on the look out for hypodermic needles ready to prick you when you grab the pump
handle. Yet another attempt to scare you. {Hoax}
Sodium Laureth Sulfate; Carcinogen Found In Many
Hygiene Items
Supposedly this chemical is widely used for its foaming ability in Shampoos, and
toothpaste and such. These ones always kinda scare me given my tendency toward conspiracy
theories. The actual chemical used here is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Here are two links to
read about SLS Report. Now I am dyslexic but they appear to have conflicting information. Safety Alerts and About.com.
The conflict inspires my conspiracy theory mentality anew. Governmental Approval
doesn't mean something is good for you. I figure if you care about your body then you do
your shopping at the health food stores anyway. Most of us Don't!
{Rumor}
How to save points on your license from Traffic
Tickets
This one claims that if you send in one dollar over the fine and never cash the one
dollar refund check then the police system cannot close your case thereby, never actually
puts points on your license. I don't know if this is true or false but rest assured I will
try it upon my next traffic infraction. {Rumor}
Mall Parking Lot Knock Out Perfume
Another stupid e-mail designed to instill fear in old woman. Two people pull up in
a car trying to sell perfume in a mall parking lot. They offer a wiff. Um, no I don't buy
perfume that often, but I get mine from those prissy nags that spray you as you walk
by. The perfume is alleged to be a knock out drug and the unwitty victim is either robbed,
raped, kidnapped or all of the above. This one has many variations in circulation All of
which are fake. Alot take place at wal-mart, what up wit dat! {Hoax}
Flat Tire at the Savannah Mall, and Shady do
Gooder
A woman notices a flat tire and while she changes it a man offers to help. He puts
his briefcase in the trunk and changes the tire then asks her to give him a ride to his
car. She says she has to go buy something and she will be right back. When she returns wit
da Police, he is gone. The suitcase supposedly had kidnappin materials inside.
Scaaaarrrryyyy! But there is no truth to it according to Savannah mall security and
Savannah PD. This one took off across the country inspiring many copycats. But NO! {Hoax}
Old Navy, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap; Money give
away
I don't know how many times I have to say it. Nothing in this world is free.
Especially money! Who in their mind would really offer to give someone a 25$ gift
certificate for very 10 people I send an e-mail to. I mean I have a good50 people in my
address book, let alone all the people on, my joke review mailing list. Just use some
common sense. I know your saying well it can't hurt to send it, but damn. the gap and old
navy are competitors, why would they work together? Don't ever believe it. {Hoax}
Heroin Needle In McDonalds Ball Pit
Dear god this one is a tear jerker. Little Kevin Archer got stuck by a heroin
needle in the kids play pit. Man this one wreaks of crap. Anyway it is yet another of many
fake stories designed to goof you the innocent email recipient into e-mailing it to all
your friends. Who ever wrote this needs a sound ass kicken. {Hoax}
The Dreaded Klingerman Virus
For the love of god, don't open your mail box. You can smell the crap on this one
as soon as you download it. It claims 23 people have been hit 7 died. You supposedly get a
virus tainted sponge in in an envelope in the mail. What moron would send this one on.
Don't you think if it killed someone you might have heard about it on the news. I'm
sharpening my pencils for the neck of whoever next sends me this email. {Hoax}
4 Free cases of Coca-Cola
Here is yet another bogus letter claiming to give you something for nothing. How is
it that people still fall for this malarkey. Send this email to all your friends blah blah
blah, if I could find out who started this I'd jam a pencil in his neck! He'd be sorry
then I tell you. My friend, Lady Di, wrote the Coca-Cola Co. and let them know of this
garbage, they said they knew and that it is in deed CRAP! {Hoax}
Area Code "809" Phone Scam
This one is Real. It claims not to respond when someone tells you to claim a
prize by dialing 1-809- blah blah blah. That, that area code is in the British
virgin islands. I checked and 809 Is the area code for the islands and round about Haiti.
4 years ago I fell victim to some stupid contest and had an 80 dollar charge on my bill. I
didn't pay it neither should you. Just tell the phone company you were scammed and aren't
going to pay it. {REAL}
KDIA Radio Station Reports Bank of America ATM
Envelope Poisonings
This little fear builder claims a woman died after having licked a deposit envelope
tainted with some crap. Believe you me if something like this ever happened you would hear
it on the news or in the paper before you heard it from an e-mail. The news loves Crap
like this. {Hoax}
Free Nokia Phone
Hmmm, I wonder if Nokia's competitors are starting these
things. Yet another forward this email for free stuff. Plain and simply, refer the to age
old adage, "You can't get something' for nothing" {Hoax}
Beware of SpunkBall
Supposedly gangs of kids are driving around amusing themselves by throwing a
gasoline soaked rag wrapped in foil into cars with open windows. A lit firecracker is
attached to ignite the little flame bomb. It warns to keep your windows up. What a bunch
of crap. Hey, why don't ya just never leave the house after all your safe there aren't ya?
Unless a runaway crack smoking elephant stampedes on the third Tuesday of the week,
bypasses your security system and eats all your spam. Read more
about it at http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/spunkbal.htm
{Hoax}
The 'GAS OUT' Movement (New Gas out set for March 24th thru 26th) This
chain letter claimed that if we all didn't by gas on one set day it would hurt the Oil
companies and possibly lower the price of gas. It instructed you to buy gas the day before
or the day after. I thought to myself what would the Oil companies care on which day you
bought your gas - they still got your money when it's all said and done. Someone sent me a letter saying that it worked the first time, and hell
it won't hurt me to not buy gas for three days. {Rumor/Junk/Political
Movement}
Virus Pretty Parks, it's Real
Another self forwarding email virus. This one is along the lines of the old
Happy99.worm virus the hitch here is that not only does it send itself to people in your
address book, but this one periodically connects itself to certain MIRC chat rooms and
transmits, data from your computer. Passwords and the like. If you get it, don't panic,
just don't open it, Delete It. Though I hate "about dot com" they were the
only place I could find data on this virus, so read about it at this link, then just close
the window and don't surf their site. Woo hoo, threaten me with legal action, and I hold a
grudge. (add maniacal laughter) http://chatting.about.com/internet/chatting/library/weekly/aa061399.htm?rnk=r1&terms=Pretty+Park+Virus
{Virus}
McDonalds vs. Taco Bell
Yet another stupid email that claims if you send it you will see a little video.
Oddly, there isn't an attachment on this one either. Boy, one would think that someone
would get real creative and attach some manner of virus to one of these. I figure if your
hard drive crashed because you sent one of these to your friends, you probably shouldn't
have had a computer anyway. {Hoax}
George W. Bush's Racial Covenant House Sale
All though technically correct This email claims that Young Bush sold his house
knowing that he had a racial restrictions on the sale. The e-mail also kinda implies that
Young Bush is a racist. I can't say one way or another (No Sir, Not Going To Do It!), but
I will direct you to a website that talks more about it. Click
Here For More Info The writer of this e-mail seemed to be semi-fanatical, I yawned. {Rumor}
Flesh Eating Bacteria (Costa Rican Banana)
Run away from the Necrotising Fasciitis!!! This beautifully
written piece of drivel claims that Costa Rican bananas are infected with a virus that has
decimated (a word that means reduced by ten percent) the monkey population. Now these
Bananas are Lurking round your local grocers produce section. It was a good read, hope
they get Dustin Hoffman for the movie. Don't you believe it. {Hoax}
Kentucky Fried genetically mutated Chicken like
substance
Let's not be ridiculous! Do we actually believe that there
are giant laboratories housing beakless, featherless intravenously fed chicken blobs. This
one said the government made Kentucky Fried Chicken quit using the word chicken in
reference to the meat they sell, due to its genetic alterations. Somebody needs kicked in
the crotch over this one. {Hoax}
X-mas Virus, 'Lump of Coal'
This panic raiser I just received, claims it will arrive on
x-mas day, and if you open it, it will cause your basic mayhem. It claims to have been
reported on CBS news, however I find no mention of it on the CBS website. I hear it has
been around a long time but it is my first time with this one. I'm like Chuck D, who says,
"Don't believe the HYPE!" {Hoax}
*** W32.Mypics.Worm,
Y2K Virus ***
Here we have another really for real virus, so be on the look out. It comes as an
attachment sometimes labeled mypics.exe. When it has been run, it looks as if it tried to
open but failed, but actually it has planted itself in your hard drive. Here is a link to
a more detailed description of the Virus. http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.mypics.worm.html
Please do not copy that page and send it to people. Send the link and let them go see it
for themselves. {Virus}
Bath & Body Works Offer
Yet another stupid E-mail tracking thingy. This one is more believable in that it
only claims to offer one 50 dollar gift certificate in exchange for forwarding the email
on to your friends. Here is a clue. Their is no way an email can track itself with out a
program attached to it. If it has no attachment it is a hoax, if it does have one, It
still could be a hoax. Do not open the attachment, that could be a virus. {Hoax}
Microsoft / AOL Frwd for Money
Um, this one claims that Microsoft will, in conjunction with
AOL, ( Two companies in direct competition, HELLO!) These companies supposedly will give
you $245 dollars for everyone you forward the email two. and $243 for everyone they send
it to and $241 for everyone they send it to. Once again the email tracking thing is
mentioned. I ask you to think about how vast an amount of money that is, then remember
that you live in reality. {Hoax}
Want A New Car From Honda
Ya know, (heavy sigh - brief pause) I'm sorry. If you read
this e-mail and passed it on then you probably shouldn't be on the internet. This
e-mail claims that if you, real quick like, send it to everyone you know then someone from
Honda Motors will show up on your doorstep with the keys to your brand new car. Whoever
fell for this one needs to breathe much deeper so the Oxygen can reach the brain. There is
no e-mail tracking Program. {Hoax}
Sandman's Website Hoax
Now come on people use a little bit of logic with this one. This one
warns of an impending email message from some dude called sandman, for you to check out
his site. The site is supposed to be booby trapped (I said booby), and if you go there all
manner of horrible things will happen. Now the logic comes into it, when it gives the
address of the site at Geocities. Don't you think someone might have told Geocities that
this thing was out there and don't you think Geocities would remove it. But since the link
was there and you wouldn't have the courage to press it, you are encouraged to forward the
warning. {Hoax}
CELLSAVER.EXE Warning
Just got this one which claims that the Celcom Screen Saver
will totally ruin your hard drive. The warning discusses the Nokia phone pictured on the
screensaver and makes mention of not being able to boot up computer. It is a revised
version of a warning that has been around since 1998. {
Hoax}
Marshall Law Signs Being Transported
This one speaks of someone's Brothers Cousins Husband Drives
a truck unbeknownst to him was full of signs that said 'This city is under Marshall Law'.
I did a little research on it and found the home page of the guy who wrote it, He emailed
me saying that he has yet to talk to the truck driver. I perused the site and found
a lot of conspiracy theory stuff http://www.freedomsite.net
, (Look for the home button) which all may or may not be true. With Y2k looming why
shouldn't the government take precautions. Whether it's true or not it doesn't belong
circulating in E-mails, through our world wide web, it belongs on a page somewhere. Oddly
enough I didn't find this E-mail among his stuff. {Rumor}
E-mail Surcharge
This Letter claims that there is a bill before the Senate
that will charge 'we the good people' of this nation a $.05 fee for every e-mail. A little
search took me to the Washingtonian homepage which, the Warning claimed, had published an
article on the subject. I found this page concerning the bogus warning. http://www.washingtonian.com/about/emailhoax.html
{Hoax}
"SPIDER ALERT"
Oh this little beauty is bound to set morons in a panic. It
claims a South American spider is lurking under toilet seats everywhere. The give away on
this one is the scientific name of the spider, the 'arachnius gluteus', or ass
spider. Ya think someone could think up a better name like 'arachnis toiletto rimo'. Like
all of these moronic pieces of email the writer uses official sounding sources, that don't
exist. To read more go to http://www.snopes.com/horrors/insects/buttspdr.htm
{Hoax}
*** Happy99.exe Worm
Virus ***
Holy cow a really for real virus. This one is sent as an
E-mail or Newsgroup attachment. The Executable file contains a subroutine that e-mails
itself to people in your address book, much like the famed Melissa Virus. It only can
affect you if you run the executable. So don't do it. Here is a link to a sight that can
help you if you are affected/afflicted, it will even tell you how to check if you have
been infected. http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/3652/SKA.HTM {Virus}
The Buddylst.zip or Buddylist.zip Virus Warning
This blatant lie claims that if it is downloaded it will wipe
out your entire harddrive and give your passwords to the sender. If they wiped your hard
drive clean, then what good are your passwords. Supposedly some friend of a friend of so
and so opened the file and crashed there computer. Sounds like an urban legend don't it.
Don't believe it. {Hoax}
There are many E-Mail tracking program E-mails
Many of which promise some sort of benefit to you for sending it on to your
friends. A lot of them will use the Microsoft Name to attempt to mislead you. I wrote
Microsoft about the one I received that promised a trip to Disney World. They told me to
throw it away. You should too. {Hoax}
The Dreaded Wobbler Virus
I recently received a warning on this one which was reputed
to be worse than the Melissa virus. It is called CALIFORNIA when received. It is supposed
to use Norton Utilities somehow to reformat your Computer. I checked with Norton Utilities
and found out it is untrue. Don't believe it. {Hoax}
The Pay Phone with LSD/Strychnine
Who knows how this got started. It was designed to scare you into mailing it out,
claiming that kids were smearing LSD laced with strychnine on pay phones. You may not know this but most
street grade LSD has Strychnine in it as a main ingredient. Believe that it could happen
if you want, but don't get hysterical about it. {Rumor}
Prehistoric Barbie
Supposedly written in response from someone at the Smithsonian. A woman finds
something in her back yard and believes it to be some archeological find and it turns out
to be a Barbie doll part. Or something vaguely like that. This one just sounded to stupid
to be true. {Hoax}
Kidney Thieve Email Strikes Again
Remember this old tale. About how someone (my Sisters, Boyfriend's, Moms, paperboy
new a guy who's cousin said....) was drugged and when they woke up they found a note
saying that their kidney had been removed. There was an X-file episode loosely based on
this one. Yet again, this is a story for subscribers to the Enquirer, not for E-mail. {Urban Legend}
The Conspiracy that the VCR held the Y2K Solution
Is it True? Probably not, Most likely just another ploy that looks really important
in hopes to trick you into passing it on. {Rumor}
Cookie Recipe for Neiman Marcus
This well written piece of literature inspired many to send it on without regard
to, um, thought, I guess. Man charges a recipe thinking he was paying $2.50 but instead
paid $250.00. When the company refused to refund his money he vindictively sent the recipe
out so everyone could have it. {Urban Legend}
HIV Ridden Syringe Incidents/Mishaps
This was just some story about some unknown person having been accidentally pricked
by a tainted needle. I can't even think why someone would be inspired to pass this
on. {Urban Legend}
The ICQ 'Kick-Off' Panic
"You better send this to everyone you know or you will
be kicked off" Sound familiar? It's false. There are many variations on this one (all
false) giving one reason or another. There was also one that said if this didn't get
forwarded to so many people in some amount of time then ICQ was going to start charging $
0.05 per message. Also False. {Hoax}
Shampoo Ingredient Causes Cancer
This chain letter claims that a common ingredient found in some brand-name shampoos
is carcinogenic. If you are concerned about this, I again advise you to do research,
before freaking out and sending emails. {Rumor}
Free GAP Clothes
This absurd HOAX stated that you would be given 20 or so
Hawaiian type out fits, or some such nonsense, for sending it on. Who in there right mind
would want twenty Hawaiian outfits. Don't be fooled. Addendum
- Now some moron has rewritten the gap thingy to suggest that you get $20 for
everyone you send it to and $10 for everyone they send it too. Well it's a bunch of
Malarkey! {Hoax}
No Urban Dictate or NUD for short
Do some corporations use racist criteria in their advertising decisions? Probably,
but I don't see how sending this trash around is going to help unless people actually
boycott a place. {Rumor}
Conman scare with Y2K Bank Scam
This stated that a man called an elder woman saying he was from her bank and they
were reworking their computers to fix the Y2K problem and he needed her pin number to fix
her account. She gave it to him. If thats true then who cares. What a sucker. Why in the
world would someone be so gullible. They probably prefer a turtleneck over a henweigh.
What's a henweigh, you ask? About 5 to 7 pounds! {Rumor}
Chain Letter that plays a Video Clip
Send this to eleven people and the coolest video will pop up. For Pete's sake
people! Emails cant play videos, there has to be an attachment and you have to actively
play it. If you fell for this one you probably shouldn't be using email. {Hoax}
SOUTH PARK VIDEO
The newest version of the one previously mentioned.
Same rules apply. {Hoax}
Feminine Hyjinx
There are a couple of versions of an e-mail stating that some tampons are made
using some manner of asbestos. I do not use tampons so it wouldn't affect me anyway. If
you use them I advise you to research this one yourself before forwarding something
of which you have no proof. I have no knowledge that this has been disproved. {Rumor}
Blue Mountain Greeting Cards Virus
This one falsely claimed that the BLUE MOUNTAIN greeting cards being sent, actually
contained a virus. You can believe this one if you want, and if you want to send Virtual
Cards then you should check out the Oddballz Ink. Unlimited Virtual Card Shop, It is
so far reportedly Virus Free. {Hoax}
A Missing Child Alert for Krystava Patients Schmidt
Just like the earlier abduction, this one has long since been resolved. Don't panic
the lil girl is alive and well. {Junk}
Dying Child Chain Letter
Asks for your help to save this dying child from some terminal illness or another.
I got one that said billionaire was going to donate $0.50 for every person that received
this email. Another email tracker thing. I thought to myself if my child was dying and
some billionaire offered a deal like this, I'd have to sharpen my axe. Evidently
there is one that uses the Dave Matthew's Band to convince you of its validity. Wrong
again. {Hoax}
The Guinness Record Book Chain Letter
Send this one and get your name (along with millions of others) In a Guinness book.
I ask you how big a book would Guinness have to print to list the names of all the vain
people who fell for this one. This might actually be a good plan for Guinness because they
could print this huge book and sell it to everyone that wanted to see their name in print.
{Hoax}
Email Tracking Giveaway by Walt Disney Jr.
This Chain letter Hoax is sure to fill you with excitement. It states that you can
win a large sum of money or a free trip to Disney World just for sending it to all your
friends. When I got this one it was backed by the Bill gates email tracking hoax, saying
Old Bill and Walt, in a combined effort, were going to foot the bill. I am surprised they
didn't use the name Oscar Mayer to sell this one as it wreaks of bologna. {Hoax}
Petition for Afghan Women's Rights
This petition asked you to sign to in an effort to stop the brutalities against
women in Afghanistan. I actually received this one and signed it and passed it on.
Who knows if it did any good. I believe there was one also for women in one of the Arabic
nations as well. You can do what you like with these ones, and just hope that they weren't
the product of some moron trying to waste people's time. I hope they are sincere efforts
to build a better world. {Junk}
Killer Sponges by Procter & Gamble
This one claims that the Proctor & Gamble pot scrubbers contain some manner of
toxic chemical. Many household products contain toxic chemicals. If this is true I would
bet it is no more toxic than Bleach. If you don't believe me go suck on an SOS pad and see
what happens to you. Um, that was a joke, I don't want to hear from anyone's
Lawyer. {Hoax}
Internet Access at Long Distance Rates?
Here's one that keeps showing up in one form or another. Some rubbish about the
U.S. government trying to make us pay long distance rates for Internet access. One of
these ones actually takes you to a website where you can find out who your local Congress
person is, so you can send them E-mail. My Congress woman assured me that the particular
bill mentioned in the e-mail, does not exist. {Rumor}
Pay Phone Coin Slots scare with Hypodermic Needles
Beware the dreaded coin return slot. Drug addicts, they claim, are targeting
unsuspecting payphone users, by hiding aids infected Hypodermic needles in coin return
slots. Some old lady read about this in the Enquirer and decided she better send out an
email to warn her Bridge club. There is also some manner of update on alleged copycat
incidents in Virginia. If you are scared you could fall prey to this one I suggest you
never leave your house. It's a bad bad world out there. {Urban
Legend}
Random Aids Sneak Attacks
Boy oh Boy this aids thing really has people jumpy. Another scare story states that
randomly chosen victims are being injected with the AIDS virus. The one I received said
something about someone getting poked with something and then a note was forced into there
hand. Of course they couldn't see who handed them the note. A friend reported that they
got the same story but it took place in a nightclub. The note said, "Welcome to the
world of Aids!" {Urban Legend}
'Guts to Say Jesus' Virus Alert
A rewrite of the old "Good Times" virus hoax. Complete and utter
nonsense. {Hoax}
The Jessica Mydek Chain Letter
This one claims that the American Cancer Society will contribute money to research
in the name of Jessica Mydek, a seven-year-old girl dying of cancer, every time this
e-mail is forwarded. This little girl, however, does not exist. Why would the American
Cancer Society ever resort to some cheap ass stunt like this? (Also
see the many Mydec copycats: David Lawitts, Tamara Martin, Rick Connor, David Bucklew, and
Timothy Flyte.) {Hoax}
The Free Stock Chain Letter
This one had something to do with Exit23b.com. I have
heard this one was a legitimate venture, at one point in time, however it is long since
over with. For some reason it is still traveling the highways and byways of the internet.
{Junk}
Nutrasweet Aspartame Warning
Dating back from 1995, This one alleges that NutraSweet causes just about every
malady known to humankind. Scientists balk. I was informed by a knowledgeable source
(who researched this) that there is some credibility to this one. Research it at your
leisure but don't send me your results as I only use pure, bleached out sugar, in my
coffee. Here is a link to an article written about the dangers of Asparatame,
read and form your own opinion. {Rumor}
Abduction Alert for Andrew Russell Steinmetz
Evidently there was a kidnapping, then there was a recovery and a court case. It's
long over with! {Junk}
Tommy Hilfiger Racist Remarks?
Calls for a boycott on all Tommy Hilfiger gear because he supposedly said something
to the effect that if he had known Blacks and Asians were going to wear his clothing he
wouldn't have made them so nice. He allegedly made this comment with more degrading ethnic
terminology on the Oprah Winfrey Show. I ask you, Given that Oprah is the richest woman
alive, do you think that would have escaped media coverage. {Rumor}
Mall Abduction Scam report by Inside Edition
This "warning to women" claims that elaborate scams are being used by
abductors to lure female shoppers out of malls and into waiting vans. I saw this episode,
they demonstrated how easy it was to lure someone into the parking lot. I don't recall
them saying this ever actually took place. {Rumor}
Another Close Call at the Mall
A murderous, well-dressed "good samaritan" supposedly lurks in the
parking lots of shopping malls just about everywhere. Just so you people don't get
surprised let me go on record as saying, that just about anything can happen to you, by
just about anyone, in just about anyplace. Let me reiterate, It's a bad bad world. Don't
be a victim! {Urban Legend}
Soda Pop Cans tainted with Deadly Rat Urine
Several versions of this warning state that there are rats in the storage
warehouses. This may be an urban legend but it's a good idea to wash anything you buy that
is prepackaged. If you feel the need to warn someone you know, call them! Don't waste the
internet to tell someone something they should have learned in health class. {Urban Legend}
Cockroach Egg Tacos at Taco Bell
A fast-food horror story, as told in six different locations around the U.S.
Cockroach Eggs in Chicken Soft Taco, beware!! There is even mention of a phony lawsuit and
an nonexistent article in the N.Y. Times. All the classic signs of a Ruse. When I was a
child it was widely/falsely reported that Wendy's burgers had worms in them, The same went
for the pizza served in the cafeteria at school. at least I hope it was false. I never
could eat that pizza after that. {Urban Legend}
Flashing Headlights provokes Gang Initiation Violence
I remember hearing this tale long before I ever came on line. Scores of 'gang
member hopefuls' drive around with their lights off waiting for some good samaritan (Mr.
Rogers) to flash their lights at them. At that point the would be gangsters open fire on
them. The tale hails from around 1990, though I have never heard of a substantiating news
story. {Urban Legend}
Save PBS / NPR / NEA Petition
I believe this one stated that the government was cutting or canceling the funding
for public broadcast stations. I believe it wanted you to contact a senator/congress
person, don't do that. One of them is simply a petition that has been mailed around and
around for the last 5 years. It was written in 1995 by some well meaning students and has
gotten out of hand. read about it on the University of Northern Colorado's home page, http://www.univnorthco.edu/ {Junk}
Blue Star Tattoo's tainted with LSD
Another panic alert states that there might be some danger of colorful cartoon
stickers/kiddy tattoos, being laced with LSD. Parents be warned. Yet again not
substantiated. {Urban Legend}
(90#) Telephone Line Repair Scam
Several slightly different copies of this one are currently circulating through the
cyber lanes. I understand that this scam is real however it is reported to have only
been used on business. {Rumor}
Virus Alert subject; 'Win a Holiday'
Much like the 'Join the Crew' alert, the 'Win a Holiday' virus warning is a Hoax.
Here is a tip if the warning states that by opening an email, to read it, will wipe out
your hard drive, then the alert is most likely a Hoax. Don't pass it on. If it wasn't on
the news, It probably isn't true. {Hoax}
Black Voting Rights Nearing Expiration
This one cropped up some two years ago, claiming that Back voting rights will
expire are set to expire in the year 2007. CNN even covered this rumor which you yourself
can read. Here is the rumor and
CNN's report. If
this scares you then send the link, not the message, it isn't as large a file to
transfer. {Rumor}
Traffickers use Children's Corpses To Smuggle Drugs
You know I have heard this one and I think I even saw a show on odd ways drug
traffickers use to get drugs into this country. My question is, Who cares. What earthly
good could come of circulating this message through e-mail. For Pete's sake if people
wanted to know this crap they'd buy the Enquirer. Get a life! {Urban
Legend}
The A.I.D.S. Virus Warning
Yet another Virus that claims to be able to destroy your computer just by opening
the e-mail. This is not possible unless you download and open an attachment or an EXE. If
you get a warning that claims that by opening an email you may inadvertently do harm to
your P.C., Don't believe it. Please research any Virus alert before forwarding. {Hoax}
Warning on 'Bud Frogs Screen Saver'
Once again, another false warning of danger to your P.C. This one has been around
and back again. About the same time as this one you may have seen other false virus
warnings, such as the Join the Crew, Undeliverable Mail, or the Pen Pal Greetings. All of
which are/were phony e-mails. {Hoax}
Savings Bond Giveaway by Gerber
This one made its rounds through the E-mail claiming (falsely) that a class action
lawsuit was forcing Gerber Products to make restitution to Americans by way of $500
savings bonds. It urged you to claim your piece of the action. {Rumor}
Need some extra $$$ for the summer?
Forwarding this e-mail could make you millions. This one claimed to be funded by
National Banks everywhere, yet did not specify which National Banks. It claimed to be a
way to teach kids how to handle money, rather it taught them how to annoy all their
friends. Don't be fooled by this one. {Hoax}
The Febreze Deodorizer Scare
Another hysteric warning which warns that Febreze (the fabric deodorizer ) is toxic
to pets. Who knows if there might be some validity to this one. Given the right tests
anyone could say that anything chemically produced might be harmful to household pets. I
still don't think it should be backing up my e-mail traffic. {Rumor}
The Merger of AOL / Netscape
This one announced the merger which did in fact happen, and for some reason offered
money for each person you sent it to. I believe the amount was like $5.00, how ridiculous.
Beware of geeks baring gifts. {Hoax}
Did you have any idea that there were so many
trash E-mails going around. Believe it when I say there are many more than just these. We
will be posting more as we get them, but our main concern is that everyone familiarize
themselves with these to insure that you don't inadvertently get duped into keeping one of
these in circulation. When someone sends you something questionable, please, direct them
to this page. Even if it is not here they might think twice next time, and not bother you
with it. Yell at them, It helps.
Now why are you still here? Why don't you go read a joke or two, there are bound to be a
bunch that you haven't heard before. Go on! Git! Clear on outta here, why don'tcha?
For more information on Internet Hoaxes you can
visit these sites where we did our research.
CIAC Internet Hoaxes
Hoax
Warnings Internet
Hoaxes Computer Virus
Myths Home Page
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