November, 2006
The holidays are here and history has shown a large increase in email hoaxes spilling all kinds of misinformation.
Many of these have emails have been floating over the Internet for years and even though they contain information
that is incorrect and, in some cases, out-right lies, they continue to circulate.
First, let's look at the 'Do Not Call List' email. This email has a date attached to it claiming that all cell numbers
will be released to telemarketers in November, 2006. There is also a date mentioned on which the 'Do Not Call List' will be
closed. Once closed, you will not be able to add your number to the list so, "Get registered now before it's too late!"
None of this is true.
To quote the FTC website:
"The Truth about Cell Phones and the Do Not Call Registry
Despite Re-Circulating E-mail, it is Still Not Necessary to register Cell Phone Numbers.
As the number of phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry surpassed 125 million, the
Federal Trade Commission today (June 21, 2006) reiterated that despite the claims made in e-mails circulating
on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers
at any time in the near future. In addition, according to the agency, it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers
on the DNC Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones."
The first point the FTC makes here is this...
"Contrary to the e-mail, cell phone numbers are NOT being released to telemarketers, and you will NOT soon be
getting telemarketing calls on your cell phone."
Get the whole story on the Federal Trade Commission website -
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/06/dnccellphones.htm
Retailers are subject to all kinds of hoaxes so I have listed a few here. Hopefully by looking over these examples, you will be able to spot other similar hoaxes.
There is one specific email that directly attacks Target - the famous "Target Stores vs. Veterans".
This email, which has slowly evolved into the hoax that it is now, started as a boycott letter sent out by a Howard County (Maryland, USA) veteran who had
approached a local Target store for a cash donation.
The Target store had to turn him down.
According to Target Public Relations, the veteran was given a guideline, which clearly states that local Target stores do not handle requests for cash donations.
The email message attempts to explain the situation but the original message has been changed. In addition to mis-stating the facts, the hoax message includes
new lines which are there only to misinform and generate bad feelings towards Target.
The added lines are similar to this: “PS: Target will also not allow the Marines to collect for Toys For Tots during the holidays.”
Here's a copy of the hoax email.
Dick Forrey, Vietnam Veterans Association
We asked our local Target store to be a sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall during our spring recognition event.
We received back a reply from Target management that "veterans do not meet our area of giving.
We only donate to the areas of the arts, social actions, gay and lesbian causes, and education."
My thought: If the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and veterans in general, do not meet their donation criteria, something is wrong at Target.
We were not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, but simply sponsorship of an endorsement for "memorial remembrance."
As follow-up, I E-mailed the corporate headquarters and their response was the same. Personally, I will NOT be purchasing anything at Target Stores again.
If the Vietnam Veteran or Veterans in general do not meet their area of giving, then why should I, as a Vietnam veteran, spend my hard earned money in their stores?
Please pass this on to as many people as you know.
Sincerely, Veterans Helping Veterans
PS: Target will also not allow the
Marines to collect for Toys For Tots during the holidays.
===
It's been checked on snopes.com and this is for real.
Get this sent around to your contacts ASAP...we don't need this spreading
around.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS:
You should be alert during the next days: Do not open any message with an
attached filed called "Invitation" regardless of who sent it.
It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which "burns" the whole hard disc
C of your computer.
This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her
contact list, that is why you should send this e-mail to all your contacts.
It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and
open it. If you receive a mail called "invitation", though sent by a friend,
do not open it and
shut down your computer immediately.
This is the worst virus announced by CNN, it has been classified by Microsoft
as the mostdestructive virus ever.
This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet
for this kind of virus.
This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital
information is kept.
SEND THIS E-MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW NOW!
COPY THIS E-MAIL AND SEND! IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT
TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US
This one is listed as a real hoax everywhere... even on Snopes.com.
Why would anyone even pass on such things when it so easy to verify?
===
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF FUNDS DEPOSITED IN YOUR NAME AND IT IS
NOT A SALES SOLICITATION.
Greetings my dear good friend, I am Joe Williams from City bank Nigeria.
The mentioned bank is known for the safekeeping of special and valuable packages
and baggage in trust for reputable clients that are honest and trustworthy.
We work in collaboration with top firms and Governments of various countries
as we have earned a name as a service whose hallmarks in reliability and confidentiality
are revered. International missions and Embassies of the world have used our
services to satisfaction.
A benefactor whose identity can not be disclosed because of the Non Circumvention
and Non Disclosure Agreement that was signed with the said benefactor when
the funds were being deposited in the Citi Bank of Nigeria, made you the beneficiary
of a package containing some amount of money
and stated clearly that you should only be contacted when the time signed
for it to be in our care elapses and the time has already elapsed that is
why you are being contacted. The Non Circumvention and Non Disclosure Agreement
signed with the benefactor mandates us to fully divulge and
disclose the benefactor's identity 18 months after you, the beneficiary has
received the funds.
The funds totals $5,000,000 (Five Million Dollars) i shall reconfirm to you
are fully free of any liens, or encumbrances and are clean, clear and
non-criminal origin and are available in the form of CASH. You are hereby
advised to reconfirm your Full Contact Information for verification with information
contained in our computer database as well as other relevant information in
the format stated below so that the fund would be arranged
by the dIplomats who will be moving the funds from the City bank of Nigeria
to be brought to you.
I would also inform you clearly here that you must procure an affidavit of
claim of ownership before the comensment of the dIplomat bringing the
funds to you, this you will be informed as soon as your information is received.
The Diplomats shall accompany you to your bank (if you want them to)
to deposit the funds in your name and submit all documentations of proof of
the origin of the funds in other to exonerate you from any form of investigations
or interrogation and to authenticate the fact that the funds are clean and
has no links whatsoever with either drugs or terrorism.
The Requested Information is to ensure that no mistake or error is made and
it should be forwarded in the manner stated below:
Your Full Name:
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not P.O.BOX) :
Name of City of Residence:
Name of Closest Airport to City of Residence:
Direct Telephone Number:
Mobile Number:
Age:
Sex :
Finally your age and sex very impotant too please note this.
The Contact Numbers are very necessary because the number would be called
before the ensure that the package is handed over to the right person.
So, it is mandatory you send your Direct Telephone Number preferably your
Mobile or Cell Phone Number. Complete the above and send back to me through
my private E-mail address below as soon as possible.
Congratulations in advance.
YOURS SINCERELY,
MR JOE WILLIAMS,
(City bank Nigeria )
Private and Confidencial...
Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that you do not find this as an inconvenience,
but I think we should all make a little extra off Mr. Gates if he is willing
to give it away.
I hope that this works and everyone is able to forward this and bank off the
Beta program that is being run. Have a great day.
THIS TOOK TWO PAGES OF THE TUESDAY USA TODAY - IT IS FOR REAL
To all of my friends, I do not usually forward messages, But this is from
my friend Pearlas Sandborn and she really is an attorney.
If she says that this will work - It will work. After all,What have you got
to lose?
I'm an attorney, And I know the law. This thing is for real. Rest assured
AOL and Intel will follow through with their promises for fear of facing a
multimillion-dollar class action suit similar to the one filed by PepsiCo
against General Electric not too long ago.