Everyday it seems like someone is sending out an e-mail with a story or a warning. Some are innocent and just meant to shock or amuse you. Many are malicious and are trying to fool you.
Be warned that you should always investigate any e-mail before you take action or forward it to others. You don't want to do harm or perpetuate a false story.
Here are some places that have explored many of these stories and scams. They can be useful in finding the truth or preventing you from being fooled:
TruthOrFiction.com This site contains hundreds of stories that have been circulating around the Internet and other media sources. The site owner is known as a very trusted source of information.
Urbanlegends.com This site explores various legends of which the site owner has been made aware or found on his own. Visitors are given the opportunity to report legends they have discovered. The site owner then works to investigate the validity of that story.
Purportal.com This site itself has a great description - 'That story that your misguided (yet sweet) friend just sent to you and forty other people sounds true... Put it to the test here." It has a few search engine and database options you can use to verify whether stories or true or bunk. Check out the LINKS page also.
Known Harmful E-mail This is a report issued by The SANS Institute that lists many known harmful e-mail message. Click on the link to see a reprint of the report. You can also visit their web site at: www.sans.org
Symantec Security Response (http://www.sarc.com/) This page, operated by the company who distributes the anti-virus software used by LAUSD, is a one-stop source for verifying virus warnings and hoaxes. It is recommended that if you receive a virus warning from a source you don't recognize, you verify it at this site before sending it to others.
The general rule on any message should be: If it doesn't sound right, chances are that it probably isn't. You should always check first before you leap.