Technology Tip Number 143
Zapping Email Legends

Have you ever received a chain email like this one:

It might look pretty convincing. You might even feel compelled to send it off to everyone you know immediately.  But before you do here's how you can check the validity an email message like this one:

1)  Highlight and copy a sentence from the email:

2)  Then paste that sentence into Google or any other search engine:

Click Here to see the Google Search Results

3)  In the resulting search you might find lots of websites that can help you determine the validity of the email like this one:

Snopes.com
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/missing/ashleyflores.asp

Hoax-Slayer.com
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/ashley-flores.html

ChildAlert.org
http://www.childalert.org/hoaxes.htm

EddieOnEverything.com
http://www.eddieoneverything.com/psa/ashley-flores-isnt-missing-helpfindashleyfloresyahoocom-isnt-a-real-address.php

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  The next time you get a chain email use the technique explained above to check the validity of it before you forward it.  If you find out it's a hoax send an email to the person who sent it to you with links with the the real information.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  To learn more about hoax emails try searching the internet for:

Online Urban Legends
Snopes
Chain Emails
Email Hoax

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