Hoax emails are electronic messages that appear to contain valid information, but are in fact untrue.  In many cases, they are based on urban legends (stories that are modern folklore, and believed to be true by those circulating them) or a source of new ones.  In some cases, they have even been reported by media outlets as genuine news items and circulated as warnings/advisories by police and other law enforcement/government agencies.

Hoax emails can be problematic, and can appear genuine in a number of ways:

• Originally, the information may have been genuine, but become out-of-date.  There are many such emails dealing with missing persons that haven't been valid for years.

• The hoax may be deliberately deceiving and contain some valid information, such as the name or contact information of someone who'd be an authority.

• The email may have been sent to others, with contact information automatically added to the email.  As with our Service, when an email is forwarded, a signature block may be added to the bottom of the email message.  The signature block identifies the sender, and includes such information as his or her name, position, the name of their organization and contact information.  Because this information is now included with the hoax email, it may appear to have originated from an official source.  When this happens, others who receive the hoax email may make inquiries using the added contact information.

Police and law enforcement agencies associated with a hoax emails have experienced thousands of email responses and phone calls.  Some have had to publicize their mistake in the media, post Web pages, add automated messages for incoming phone calls, or add disclaimers to voicemail explaining their involvement and debunking the hoax email.  Such responses may continue for years, even extending beyond the employment of the person who disseminated the hoax email.

To view a hoax email that may be of concern to the public, please click the link that is of interest to you below: