We have all gotten the emails that promise a blessing or something ‘good' when we have forwarded the email to the specified number of people. Often there is a warning of doom if you don't comply. Do you really know what is in those emails? Have you ever forwarded them on and waited for your surprise? Have you ever wondered if anyone really knows if you have disregarded the message? Somebody knows.
In many emails there is embedded code. That code captures your info and the info of all those who are receiving the message once you hit ‘send'. It is what may be done with this information that should be scary to everyone. Lists with your details and the information of your friends are added to various databases which are bought and sold to those in various and sometimes not-so-legit businesses. What happens next?
Ever wonder how and why you get all that spam mail? How did you end up on all those mailing lists? Why is adult content going to people that would never consider subscribing to it? Yep, that is right, The List. You have now become a very attractive target.
Government agencies have been known to utilize The List. If you have forwarded these emails, think back. Have you been called for jury duty more frequently lately? What is your tax status? Do you owe anything to the IRS? Have your real estate taxes increased more than you think they should?
People that forward the ‘send to 10 people' emails are considered to be those who will not question what happens to them, They are seen as people who will believe anything that is on the internet and are therefore at the mercy of the sometimes merciless.
What to do?
First: When you receive an email that promises something will happen, at least delete that paragraph from the email immediately. The longer it stays there, the better the chance you will forget it is part of the email and accidently forward it to your friends and business associates.
Second: Better yet, delete the email in question as soon as you have read it and never, never forward it to anyone.
Third: Alert your friends to this problem. Once they know about it, they will not want to be a victim of The List either.
If we are all vigilant we can greatly curtail if not eliminate the agenda of government and businesses agencies invading our privacy.
