How do you politely tell people that the information in a forwarded email is wrong?

Question

My aunt just sent me a forward of 9 safety tips for women that upon a quick search on Snopes.com, are complete and total crap. This forward contains complete lies and poor advice for dangerous situations. I really want to email my aunt and everyone she forwarded this to and tell them to ALWAYS check something out on Snopes before forwarding it around. Is there a polite way to do this? What should I say?

Answer 1

I pass on the web site (truthorfiction.com is what I use) and then say hey I checked this out on this web site and this is what I found. Then paste results into the body of the email and send it off.

Answer 2

I have a pretty long standard mail that tells people that almost all forwards are hoaxes, that it's quite understandable that they have fallen for it since many, many people do and that's exactly why these things keep going around, but to still please bookmark snopes.com (actually I prefer the about.com urban legends site, but same deal) and ALWAYS check before forwarding something, no matter who sent it to them. I then include a list of common forwards and why they don't work; fake virus warnings, signature lists, products warnings, etc, etc.

I don't think it's rude to inform someone of the truth about forwards. As I said, I make it clear they definitely aren't alone in falling for these things, that should help them not to take it personally :) And I do try to provide a lot of info, since I copy & paste this standard mail (well, almost standard, I address their particular forward with a direct link to the debunking website first) it's not that much work. Most people don't feel insulted when I sent it to them, in all my years online I can remember only one person flaming me for being rude but quite a few thanked me for explaining it to them so clearly and even asked if they could copy my mail to send it to the folks who mailed them the forwards.

Answer 3

First, I will burst your bubble: it will not work. I have tried and tried and tried to get it through my relatives' heads that a) forwarding is BAD and b) if you MUST forward, please please please check things out before forwarding them and c) FOR THE LOVE OF GOD USE BCC NOT CC.

*ahem*

Second, what you said is pretty much what your letter should say, minus the "total crap" comment. Point out that you are concerned that following the tips in this forward could lead to injury or worse for someone someday, and that's why you're taking the time. Link to the Snopes bit as well. Explain what Snopes is and provide examples of what they do. Explain that it's a good resource for helping to keep misinformation from spreading that can do real and lasting harm, both to people and their computers (because we've all seen the forwards that say "SUCH AND SUCH FILE IS A VIRUS DELETE IT NOW" that are actually extremely important system files, yes? And those can cost money to get fixed!).

And then create a separate address for 'real' mail and an address to hand out to relatives and friends who just won't stop sending forwards, becase sadly, it's a highly aggressive disease that most people just don't seem to want to let go of. :(

Answer 4

Reply to your aunt that you checked it out on Snopes and that it is false. Then she can forward to everyone else herself and you won't make her look like a fool. Just advise her to check out the e-mails before she forwards them. I have told a lot of my friends about Snopes etc. and they have all thanked me. Now I get emails saying look at this crap I've been getting, but at least they aren't forwarding it as the truth.

Answer 5

I've been in a similar situation and found that the best way to tell someone they are wrong is to....tell them they are wrong. Telling someone pointblank might hurt their feelings but if it could cause future harm, make sure to tell them. You could forward your aunt something from snopes.com so that she knows you aren't making it up.

Answer 6

Dear Auntie,

Thank you for your email. I know you care about my safety and I appreciate it very much. I care deeply about you and your safety also. Since I care so much I wanted to give you the following information < insert information here> This information is easy to check out by going to Snopes.com.

Thank you again. I love you.

Something like the above would work well I think.

Answer 7

Tell her thank you for thinking of you, and you appreciate her concern, but many of the items are false or dangerous and you were worried for her safety. Tell her about your search, and your experience with Snopes.com.
That should do it!

Answer 8

Send her the link to the snopes.com page that shows it to be false so she does not have to look for it herself.

Tell her it is one of your favorite sites ( it is a really cool site) and that you learned about it after forwarding and urban legend or hoax to a friend.

I just did this an hour ago to a friend that shen me the "Please help me with a school project for my niece."

Answer 9

just tell your aunt to be careful of all websites and their credibility.
thank your aunt for keeping your safety in mind, but just tell her about all the crap on the net and that anyone can put stuff on there thank her again for her info and tell her you appreciate her emails and keep them coming and its good that it made you look into it to correct the websites errors....and that you dont mind checking out the info in the future.

Answer 10

I would say this to your aunt..... That is odd. I was on this site called snopes and this is what I found concerning the info you emailed me. Thought I would send it off to you. You could also email those that have received the same email and say nothing, just send it.