Online Urban Legends

Urban Legends And Online Hoaxes

Sometime you may receive emails with incredible stories, requests to forward the email to as many people as you can or even instructions to remove certain files from your computer. If you’re not sure something is a hoax, you can check with Snopes.com to see if the story is valid.

A few common hoaxes are:

Email From Bill Gates

Hello everybody,

My name is Bill Gates. I have just written up an e-mail tracing program that traces everyone to whom this message is forwarded to. I am experimenting with this and I need your help. Forward this to everyone you know and if it reaches 1000 people everyone on the list will receive $1000 at my expense. Enjoy.

Your friend,
Bill Gates

Or this Citibank email:

Dear Citibank customer,

Recently there have been a large number of identity theft attempts targeting Citibank customers. In order to safeguard your account, we require that you update your Citibank ATM/Debit card PIN.

This update is requested of you as a precautionary measure against fraud. Please note that we have no particular indications that your details have been compromised in any way.

This process is mandatory, and if not completed within the nearest time your account may be subject to temporary suspension.
To securely update your Citibank ATM/Debit card PIN please go to:
https://web.da-us.citibank.com/cgi-bin/citifi/scripts/home/visitor_homepage.jsp

Please note that this update applies to your Citibank ATM/Debit card - which is linked directly to your checking account, not Citibank credit cards.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and thank you for using Citibank!

Regards,

Jonathan Hightower
Head of Citi® Identity Theft Solutions

If you’re unsure of the contents or legitimacy of an email you receive, try checking Snopes first to see what they’ve discovered.

Check Urban Legends Online

Snopes.com

The definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.

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