How to identify hoax emails

Let’s face it: our inboxes are flooded with e-mails these days. There is nothing more frustrating than wasting time on chain letters or forwarded messages that are completely false. On the other hand, we want to stay informed and pass along e-mails our friends and family might find interesting or useful.

"Unfortunately, fact and fiction can be hard to sort out in some e-mails," says Sam Phuon, a technical support representative for Socket. "Some far-fetched e-mails can actually be true, and some that seem to make sense can be completely false."

This can leave recipients with many questions. Can outdated pancake mix really cause an allergic reaction? Does placing a plastic container in the microwave result in the release of cancer-causing agents into food? Can I get money or gift certificates from my favorite stores by forwarding e-mails claiming to be from their marketing departments?

Although some forwarded e-mails are legitimate, many are simply untrue and can spread very quickly. It can be difficult to distinguish true stories and warnings from hoaxes. Unsure about an e-mail’s legitimacy, many people end forwarding it anyway, “just in case.” Hoaxes continue to spread and the dilemma of knowing which e-mails to believe worsens.

Luckily, sites like Snopes (www.snopes.com) and Truth or Fiction (www.truthorfiction.com) can help dispel many hoaxes, including those circulated via e-mail. Use these sites to search for a particular hoax using key words or browse through common categories of hoaxes. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, submit it on the Web site or via e-mail.

There are also a few general rules to keep in mind when assessing whether or not an e-mail message is true:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. E-mails promising the recipient money, gift certificates or other incentives for the simple act of forwarding the message are almost always false.

• Messages that seem excessively urgent or desperate are most likely untrue.

• Legitimate e-mails usually list a credible reference or name the individual telling the story. Check them out before passing the message along.

• Unusual photos can also be checked for accuracy on the Web.

Do your part to stop the spread of hoax e-mails by arming yourself with common-sense knowledge and by taking a few minutes to verify an e-mail’s legitimacy before passing it on. Everyone in your address book will thank you.

Socket Tech Talk is provided as a service to distribute general information concerning technology-related topics. Please consult your local computer expert for information specific to your situation.