Do you verify the accuracy of email claims before you forward them to others?

Question

Everyone gets them, those emails that have been forwarded a dozen times before they reach you. I'm speaking of the kind that often come with multiple large different colored fonts, often with animated pictures and always with indignant rants and raves about everything from patriotism, treasonous politicians, religion, corporate greed, email tracking of forwarding for foundations to make charitable donations, Bill Gates handing out free money or whatever, and other types of phenomenal BS.

Do you forward them without verifying them or make sure that they're true, or do you just delete or ignore them?

Answer 1

If you don't want to look like a FOOL, then do a little research. It takes a few moments to GOOGLE it.

Then check a could of the Hoax websites. I just search for HOAXBUSTERS at google and Open those search sites in a new window. Then I search for the HOAX.

If it turns out to be a HOAX, I reply BACK to the guy that sent it to me, and politely point out that I discovered that it was a hoax. I tell them that I don't mind getting the story. Some of the stuff is funny, other stuff is pathetic.

Answer 2

I never forward anything, least of all spam and nuisance e-mails designed just to take up space and time. And when others send rubbish e-mails to me I return them with a copy of whatever snopes.com has to say.

Answer 3

I don't ussally even read tem myself so no I don't.
But if I get one that sounds intresting and I do happen to look than I send it on but only to peolple I know would want to see it. I don't bother everyone with em.

Answer 4

I read most of it, but I never forward it. If it's something I know is an urban legend, I'll sometimes look it up on http://www.snopes.com/ and Reply to All with a link.

Answer 5

I generally read them and pass them along if they have some kind of point or humor about them.

Answer 6

Isn't that what they invented the delete key for?