Bill Gates Doesn't Wish to Share His Fortune - Email Hoaxes and Chain letters

Yesterday, I received an email from a member of my community. The email tells users they can make money from Microsoft by forwarding the email to as many people as they can. I think that she forwarded me the email, on the off chance that it might be true. I wish!

If you receive this email or a similar message, please do not forward it to your friends and family. Don’t be fooled by this email hoax.

Companies such as Microsoft don't do business via a chain letter. Bill Gates is not sharing his fortune. The Bill Gates hoax has been circulating since November 1997.

Chain letters like this have no purpose. They are as irritating as spam and just plain nuisances. Hoaxes and chain letters are one of my biggest pet peeves.

Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Always check out the credibility of an email at www.snopes.com before you pass it on.


Never add someone’s email address to your address book without first asking them if they wish to be added. Not everyone wants to receive these jokes, hoaxes, and chain letters.

These forwards oftentimes will have several email addresses showing in the body of the email. Please take time to delete all the addresses inserted by the previous sender before forwarding. Also, because email addresses can be harvested, please BCC send your forwards.

I have created this collection of resources that will assist you in sending a blind carbon copy of your message to several recipients.

How to BCC send in Yahoo http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/mail/send/send-01.html

How to BCC send in hotmail

Example: If you were to enter these email addresses
To: xxxxxx@todays-woman.net
CC:
BCC: xxx@hotmail.com, xx@aol.com, xxxx@yahoo.com

Each recipient will receive a copy of your email, but it will look like this.

From: "Your Name here"
To: xxxxxx@todays-woman.net
Cc:

How to BCC send in Aol http://help.channels.aol.com/article.adp?catId=1&sCId=105&sSCId=1051&articleId=217065

How to BCC send in outlook http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299804

How to BCC in Netscape http://wp.netscape.com/browsers/using/messenger/autobcc.html

How to BCC in Juno http://www.juno.com/contact/brand.html?next=http://www.juno.com/support/40/misc-bcc.html

How to BCC in MSN Explorer

To add Bcc recipients to a message in MSN Explorer:
• Click on More on the Write E-mail screen.
• Select Show Bcc
• Then use the “BCC” field like the “To” field.



Please use some common sense when sending email. Everyday consumers receive offers that sound too good to be true. With the advantages of technology, you have the resources at your finger tips. Don’t be tricked by virus myths, scams, and internet hoaxes. Do your homework.

I'll be stepping down from my soap box now.

Rose DesRochers