I have to give credit where credit is due; Millennials, you get it! Gen-Xers, most of you get it. Baby-Boomers, you are trying, but half of you don’t get it. Silent Generation, I don’t know what to say…
Just because it’s on the Internet or a friend emailed it to you, doesn’t make it so. “It’s a HOAX!”
Many well intentioned people, who are trying to help their friends, propagate Internet hoaxes on social networking sites and in email inboxes. The only thing I can do is keep shouting, cajoling and instructing you on the differences between legitimate threats and Internet hoaxes. Below are a few thoughts to keep in mind when you are presented with an apparent, looming Internet threat.
Delivery Methods
HOAX : Warnings are generally spread via social networking sites and email from well intentioned family and friends.
LEGIT: Warnings are generally disseminated from vendor websites, security websites and Internet news sites.
Characteristics of a Hoax
- Outrageous or sensational claim.
- Message feels urgent. “This just happened and you need to know about it”
- Usually contains a specific “Call To Action”.
- “Email your legislator right now to voice your opinion”.
- “Forward this to everyone you know”.
- Formatting “Tells” (email)
- ALL CAPS!!!!!!
- Repeated claims, “This is not a hoax” or “This is real” or “Forward this to everyone you know”
- Use of Center Justification, multiple colors and font sizes.
Email Hoaxes: An Example
- Sometimes the post or email will contain some items that are true and some that aren’t.
- Below is an example I received the other day.
- Notice the following:
- An outrageous or sensational claim.
- President Obama has sanctioned an Muslim Holiday stamp.
- A feeling of urgency
- “If there is one thing you forward today, let it be this”.
- Specific call to action
- Forward this email.
- Adamantly and vocally boycott this stamp.
- Formatting “Tells”
- REMEMBER, HONOR, EID, MUSLIM–all capital letters.
- forward today
- Red and blue fonts, as well as center justification
- An outrageous or sensational claim.
- These are all text book signs that something is not right here. So what’s the next step?
How to Handle a Hoax
- Verify the claim with legitimate websites that specialize in investigating Internet hoaxes like Snopes.com
- If you had followed the URL in the picture above (or click here) you would have found the specific details surrounding these claims.
- The stamp does exist, but is not new and has nothing to do with Christmas.
- President Obama had nothing to do with commissioning the stamp. The EID stamps were commissioned in 2001 prior to 9/11.
- Boycotting the stamp is irrelevant. Snopes.com states that they are specialty stamps and generally sold only to those who ask for them; all proceeds go to the USPS.
- As you can see, this really changes things. It pays to investigate.
- If you had followed the URL in the picture above (or click here) you would have found the specific details surrounding these claims.
- Gently and privately inform the person who sent the email or posted the hoax . Provide documentation showing where you obtained your information so that you are presenting facts not attacks . Remember to be very respectful and tactful in your correction. You don’t want to embarrass the person, just provide factual information.
Final Suggestion
- Before you post or forward warnings via email or on Facebook please check them out for yourself. Don’t be the one forwarding misinformation. Don’t be the one propagating hoaxes.
I would love to know what other sites you use to investigate internet hoaxes. Please leave a comment with your favorite site.
Update (Clarification)
The Section titled How To Handle a Hoax,should have been titled “How to handle a Potential Hoax“. Sometimes, the information you are evaluating is, in fact, true. This is why I suggested you check it out on sites like Snopes.com , as well as, security websites and news sites. Please make sure you evaluate all claims sent to you with a critical eye. 11/26/2010