Hoax-Slayer FAQ's
- Scam FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about Internet scams.
- Hoax FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about email hoaxes.
- Site and Newsletter FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about The Hoax-Slayer Site and Newsletter.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
