Hoax Emails

[fred]

Having been forwarded another hoax warning email this morning got me thinking. I'm considering sending out my own new one:

Subject:Message from ICANN re Hoax Emails

Dear All

Hoax warning emails are a drain on Internet resources and cause unnecessary panic and fear. They also cost millions of dollars in wasted time and resources every year.

Many hoax emails claim to come from an official or well known source, such as the police/FBI, Microsoft, AOL or even ICANN. Over 90% of them have dubious sounding, unsubstantiated claims such as the cost implications of 'falling' for the supposed scam they are 'warning' about. In fact, reading the email itself and forwarding it on to an average of 10 people will itself cost you at least £38.99 on your phone bill.

The big tell tail sign of a hoax or scam is that they usually end with telling you to forward it on to as many colleagues, relatives and friends you can.

They may try to convince you by including a quote. Bill Gates commented on this by saying "Quotes in these emails are fake".

Please forward this message to as many colleagues, relatives and friends as you can, and together we can stop hoax emails.

Many thanks for your time regarding this matter, take care and regards.

Mr F Akemail
Hoax Awareness Coordinator

Any thoughts?

[rob]

Send it from your recently deceased sisters brothers dogs cousin, you know the one, the multi trillionaire.

You never know, you might get 10% fee for helping!