Unfortunately for the not-so-sure, email hoaxes are as common place on the Internet as regular spam. An email hoax is when that unbelievable deal or free offer hits your inbox, usually asking for either your email address or for you to tell all of your friends before getting the amazing free gift. Scammers regularly use email in attempts to steal your money or personal information.

One example of a hoax email is the free laptop from Sony Ericsson circulating at the moment.

Hi everyone

The Ericsson Company is distributing free computer laptops in an attempt to match Nokia that has already done so. Ericsson hopes to increase its popularity this way. For this reason, they are giving away the new WAP laptops. All you need to qualify is to send this email to 8 people you know. Within 2 weeks, you will receive Ericsson T18. But if you can send it to 20 people or more, you will receive Ericsson R320.

According to the full write-up over at Hoax Slayer, this particular hoax is just a rehash of a fake mobile phone from September 2005.  Better still the T18 and R320 aren’t even laptops, they are “end of life” mobiles. Ericsson published a statement on their website on May 12th, advising people of this hoax and ask people not to forward the email.

“Giveaway” hoaxes are only one aspect of hoax email that is out there to cause you trouble; the supporting cast includes prank emails, charity hoaxes, Nigerian scams, phishing scams and email lottery scams. These terms might sound a little computer geeky or you might be feeling a little confused at the moment, but think back to the last email from the bank saying that they accidently lost your details. It doesn’t stack up, does it?

If you’re really lucky with an email hoax, the only damage done is to your reputation when you forward it on to a dozen contacts. If you’re one of the unfortunate then you may have just given out personal details, passwords to the bank or worse.

This might sound extreme or far fetched but we know real people within a few miles of our offices that have accidently given out bank details, had thousand of pounds removed from their bank account or credit cards compromised via the Internet.  Worse still, this isn’t just one or two people we’re talking about!

There are a couple of things you can do to reduce the impact of an email hoax:

• Install suitable email filtering such as MailDefense from GFI. It won’t stop those close to you, but it will certainly keep the really bad stuff away.
• If you’re not sure, check with your IT people or look at a website like Hoax Slayer.
• Read our article on 7 tips for better email.
• Don’t be tempted to forward the hoax on, somebody receiving your email could be one of the unfortunate.
• If you received the hoax from a friend, tell them about this article.

In a nutshell, if you receive an email offering something totally amazing for free (unless it’s from us!) then the chances are that it’s a scam or just complete rubbish.  Use common sense rather than leaving it to chance – if it sounds too good to be true, then chances are that it is.  Alternatively talk to your IT provider or ring us on 0845 004 3025.