Internet Rumors, Hoaxes, Scams and Urban Legends

The great communications capabilities of the Internet are mostly a good thing, but not entirely. Unfortunately, its ease of use and virtually free cost means that sometimes it can be misused. Since it is so easy and inexpensive to communicate, fringe groups who could not put together a brochure suddenly can have a web site and can bombard the world with email about their antisemitic ideas. One of the worst examples of misuse of the Internet -- email in particular -- is in spreading rumors and so-called "urban legends", often something negative about Jews or Israel or a hoax playing on your interest in the well-being of Israel.

Many of the most interesting and compelling of these messages are just not true. They often have very credible sounding "credentials" and come from trusted correspondents, but are false nonetheless. The person sending the message to you often believes the information is true and has the best of intentions in forwarding it to their own list of contacts.

Some examples of false rumors; click for a link to the real story:

1. Fuji map excludes Israel
2. Steven Spielberg Palestinian movie
3. 4000 Jews stayed home on 9-11

Some examples of email campaigns that were not well-founded:

1. Gas boycott
2. Michael Ramirez Los Angeles Times cartoon protest

When you get one of these emails, how do you know if it is true or just another rumor/hoax? How do you determine if it is worthy of your time and follow-up energy? Fortunately, the Internet provides an answer to its own excesses. There are a number of excellent resource websites that can help you research information that is suspicious, alarming, or too good to be true.

Here is a catalog of where to go and what to do:

1. The Snopes.com Urban Legends Reference Pages

This is probably the best single source to check out stories that you receive. Use their search feature to find their article on the subject. For example, search for "gas boycott terrorists" and you will find the page Gas Flout that explains the rumor, how oil and gasolene markets work, and why the boycott idea is false and unworkable.

If you type in Israel as the Snopes search word you will get a long list of hoaxes, rumors and legends involving Israel.

2. If Snopes doesn't have anything, try some of these other sources for Urban Legends:

The AFU and Urban Legends Archive
Master list of hoaxes, scans, and Urban Legends
Urban Legends Research Center
Urban Legends and Folklore page of About.com
Virus Hoaxes and Netlore
Truth or Fiction?
Don't Spread the Hoax
E-mail Hoaxes and Scams
V-Myths: the truth about computer security hysteria

3. BreakTheChain.org is a good source for common-sense evaluations of e-mail chain letters, along with helpful tips and advice on being a better e-mailer. They maintain information on hundreds of circulating e-mail chain letters with information to help you understand what is going on.

4. Lies, Damn Lies & ICQ Messages focuses on the lies and hoaxes that circulate on the ICQ system (I Seek You -- the web Instant Messaging).

5. Internet scams and fraud are the subject of Scambusters.org

In addition to urban legends and rumors, Internet Scambusters covers spam offers, stock market schemes, chain letters, viruses and much more.

6. If you are concerned about a reported virus, the leading virus company Symantic has a database of information about them. Although the site is primarily for users of Symantic antivirus software, it can be used to research viruses and virus hoaxes in general.

Another good source of virus hoax information is the F-Secure Security Information Center.

7. The website Boycott Watch keeps track of calls for boycotts and campaigns against companies, products and individuals. They try to find out the truth of the situation and avoid unfounded actions.

8. Google, the search engine, can always be useful for research. If someone tells you "Israel is being thrown out of the World Medical Association", try searching Google. Use a search phrase like: hoax israel "world medical association" You will quickly find this page called "Story on plans to oust Israel as member a 'hoax': WMA"

9. General advice on spotting hoaxes, Urban Legends, and other problems on the Internet:

How to Spot an Urban Legend

No fooling: the 10 worst Internet hoaxes

ADL: Internet Main Page

Evaluating Internet Information

10. And a final note: don't answer email from Nigeria promising millions if you just give details of your bank account!