Debunking email hoaxes and exposing Internet scams since 2003!

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Hoax-Slayer FAQ's



Scam FAQ's

Q. I received an email/letter/fax that claims that I've won a great deal of money in an international lottery even though I never bought a ticket. Is this for real?

A. No, this is most probably a scam. There is no lottery and no prize. Those who initiate a dialogue with the scammers by replying to the messages will eventually be asked for advanced fees to cover expenses associated with delivery of the supposed "winnings". They may also become the victims of identity theft. DO NOT respond to the message.

Find out more about lottery scams


Q. I received an email from my bank/online service provider/ financial institution that asks me to visit a website and enter personal information. Is this safe?

A. This is more than likely the type of Internet scam known as "phishing". A phisher scam is one in which victims are tricked into providing personal information to what they believe to be a legitimate company or organization. In order to carry out this trick, the scammers often create a "look-a-like" website that is designed to resemble the target company's official website. Typically, emails are used as "bait" in order to get the potential victim to visit the bogus website. Be wary of any email that asks you to provide sensitive personal information such as banking details. Most legitimate companies would not request such information from customers via email. If you have any doubts at all about the veracity of the email, contact the company directly.

Find out more about phisher scams


Q. I received an email/letter/fax that asks for my help to access a large sum of money in a foreign bank account. The message says that I will get a percentage of the funds in exchange for my help. Is this legitimate?

A. In all probability, the message is an example of the type of scam known as a Nigerian or "419" scam. The "large sum of money" does not exist. The messages are an opening gambit designed to draw potential victims deeper into the scam. Those who initiate a dialogue with the scammers by replying to the scam messages will eventually be asked for advance fees supposedly required to allow the deal to proceed. They may also become the victims of identity theft.

Find out more about Nigerian scams


Q. I replied to a message and have supplied personal information as requested. Later I found out that the message was a lottery/Nigerian scam. What should I do now?

A. First of all, stop all dialogue with the scammers immediately. It is possible that the scammers have collected enough information about you to commit identity theft. You can find out more about identity theft and what to do about it via the link below:
FraudWatch International: ID Theft

I would also strongly advise you to contact your local law enforcement agency and inform them of your situation.


Q.I was tricked into giving money to lottery/Nigerian scammers. Please tell me how I can get my money back?

A. Unfortunately, there is probably not much you can do to recover your money. You should contact your local law enforcement agency for advice as soon as possible. Discontinue any further dialogue with the scammers. DO NOT give them any more information about yourself. It is possible that the scammers have collected enough information about you to commit identity theft. You can find out more about identity theft and what to do about it via the link below:

FraudWatch International: ID Theft


Hoax FAQ's

Q: I received a message that says that Bill Gates of Microsoft is conducting a test and that I will get money if I forward the email to my friends. Could this be true?

A: No, this is an old hoax that has seen many versions. There is no test, the email is not being tracked and you will not receive money for forwarding the email. The email should be deleted.

Find out more about the Money from Microsoft Hoax


Q: I received an email that says I probably have a virus called jdbgmgr.exe and explains how to find and delete the virus. The virus has a small teddy bear icon. I *did* find the file. Should I delete it?

A: No, DO NOT delete the file. The email is a hoax. Jdbgmgr.exe is a legitimate Windows file and is *not* a virus. Although it a legitimate file, your computer will still run normally without it, so if you have already deleted the file DON'T PANIC! Click the link below for details.

Find out more about the Teddy Bear Virus Hoax


Q: I received an email warning that claims HIV infected needles are being deliberately left on theatre seats / on gas pump handles / in phone booth coin returns. Is this true?

A: No, this is an old hoax that has seen many variations. Occasionally, syringes are found in places where they could cause injury to unsuspecting members of the public. However, there is no evidence that the callous and deliberate terror campaign outlined in these hoax emails has ever occurred.

Read More about the HIV Needle Hoax


Q: I received an email claiming that a large quantity of UPS uniforms has been bought on eBay and that criminals or terrorists posing as delivery drivers could use the uniforms. Is this true?

A: No, this is a hoax that has spawned quite a number of versions. There have been no reports of large eBay purchases of UPS uniforms, nor have large quantities of uniforms been reported stolen. The information in the email is false and should be disregarded.

Read more about the UPS Uniforms Hoax


Q: I was sent an email that claims that criminals lurking in parking areas are using drugs disguised as perfume to debilitate and rob victims. Any truth in this one?

A: This is a hoax, although it may have originated from a real event. There are several versions of the hoax set in different countries. In 1999, a woman claimed to have been assaulted and robbed by assailants who used a debilitating substance disguised as perfume. The story soon made its way to the Internet and spread rapidly as a "warning", even though there were no reported cases of such attacks happening again. In fact, even the original story may have been untrue.

Read more about the Perfume Email Hoax


Q:I was forwarded a message that claims that a little girl called Amy Bruce is dying of lung cancer and a brain tumour and that the Make A Wish Foundation will donate money when the email is forwarded. Is this true?

A: No, this is a hoax. There is no 7-year-old Amy Bruce who is dying of both lung cancer and a brain tumour. Legitimate charities or companies would not donate money based on how many times an email is forwarded. There are several hoaxes like this one that claim that money will be donated every time an email is forwarded. All are false. The email, and others like it, should be deleted.

Read more about the Amy Bruce Charity Hoax
Read more about other Charity Hoaxes


Q. I got a message that says that adding [specified email address] to my MSN Messenger, will infect my computer with a virus. Is this true?

A. No, you cannot be infected by a virus simply by adding a person to your contact list. This is a common hoax that keeps reappearing with different contact addresses specified.

Read more about the MSN Contact List Virus Hoax


Q. I received an email that claims that my Hotmail (or Yahoo) account will be terminated if I don't forward the message. Could this be true?

A. No, this is an old hoax that has been circulating for several years. Hotmail, or Yahoo, is not going to terminate an account based on whether or not a specific email is forwarded.

Read more about the Hotmail Account hoax


Q. I received a very disturbing email petition that claims somebody is cramming live cats into glass jars to create "bonsai kittens". Is this true?

A. Don't worry you can safely ignore this petition. Nobody is making bonsai kittens. Although there is actually a website that claims to teach people how to create bonsai kittens, it is intended as a joke.

Read more about the Bonsai Kittens Email Petition


Q. I received an email that claims that a scammer can take control of a person's phone by posing as a technician and asking him or her to key in 90#.

A. No, this is generally considered a hoax, although there are rare exceptions where the information can be partially correct. There have been a number of versions of the hoax set in different parts of the world.

Read more about the Nine Zero Hash Phone Scam Hoax



Site and Newsletter FAQ's

Q. Who is behind Hoax-Slayer? Who writes the articles?

A. The Hoax-Slayer Website is owned and managed by me, Brett Christensen, and I write virtually all of the articles published on the site. You can find out more about Yours Truly and Hoax-Slayer by visiting my About page.


Q. I read an article on your site that claims an email I received is a hoax. How do I know that the information in your article is accurate? Why should I trust you over the person who sent me the email?

A. All articles published on Hoax-Slayer are thoroughly researched prior to publication. My findings are based on information available via a variety of credible sources including other reputable websites, news articles, press releases, government or company publications and consumer alerts. Unlike a typical hoax message, my articles generally include in-text hyperlinks and/or a separate reference list that allow readers to check the information for themselves.

In other words, you don't have to blindly take my word for it, nor would I expect you to. I do not declare an email message to be untrue unless I have compelling evidence to back up such a declaration. References in my articles allow visitors to verify this evidence and draw their own conclusions.


Q. I need scam or hoax related information for a newspaper, magazine or website article. Would you be able to help?

A. Yes, I would be happy to help via email if I can. Please use the site contact form to submit your questions and include the name and/or web address of your publication.


Q. I would like to request a radio/TV interview. Are you available?

A. No, I am not available for radio or TV interviews at this time. This includes both face to face and telephone interviews. However, I would be happy to answer any of your questions via email. Please use the site contact form to submit your questions.


Q. I tried to subscribe to the newsletter, but I received a message that I was not allowed to subscribe. How come?

A. This is most probably because you are an AOL user. The newsletter no longer accepts AOL email addresses.

For details, see: Information for AOL Users


Q. I'd like to let you know about a spelling error that I found in one of your articles.

A. Thanks! If someone lets me know about a spelling error, I try to fix it as soon as possible. I do spell-check articles, but given the amount of material on the site, a few errors are bound to slip through. However, before you email me about an error, please consider the following points:

  1. Articles usually include an example of the scam or hoax that I am discussing. I do not correct the spelling or grammar in these examples because I want readers to see the messages in their original form.

  2. I am Australian and I therefore use a lot of British spelling. There are a number of differences between British and American spelling, so what you consider to be an error may simply be the British spelling equivalent of the word and not incorrect. In truth, much to the horror of spelling purists (like my mum and certain University lecturers) I think its fair to say many modern Australians tend to use a mixture of British and American spelling, including yours truly.


Q. I would like to propose a link exchange between my site and yours.

A. Sorry, but I do not participate in link exchanges. This includes "triangular" link exchanges and other linking schemes. ALL link exchange requests will be deleted without reply.


Q. Can I have your permission to add a link to a Hoax-Slayer web page on my website/blog/forum?

A. Certainly! Go right ahead.


Q. Can I have your permission to copy one or more of your articles and use it on my own website/blog/forum?

A. No, I do not give permission for my articles to be used on other websites. Using Hoax-Slayer articles on your own site without permission is an infringement of my copyright. This includes non-profit and community sites. However, you may freely link to any articles on the Hoax-Slayer website.