More urban legends and hoaxes: Netscape and AOL Merge - New Email Tracking System, Problems with your AOL Account, Curt B. Chain Letter, and Bug's Life Screensaver Virus
Netscape/AOL Merge - New Email Tracking System
Netscape and AOL have recently merged to form the largest internet company in the world. In an effort to remain at pace with this giant, Microsoft has introduced a new email tracking system as a way to keep Internet Explorer as the most popular browser on the market. This email is a beta test of the new software and Microsoft has generously offered to compensate whoever participates in the testing process. For each person you send this email to, you will be given $5. For every person they give it to, you will be given an additional $3. For every person they send it to you will receive $1.
Microsoft will tally all the emails produced under your name over a two week period and then email you with more instructions. This beta test is only for Microsoft Windows users because the email tracking device that contacts Microsoft is embedded into the code of Windows 95 and 98.
I know you guys hate forwards. But I started this a month ago because I was very short on cash. A week ago I got an email from Microsoft asking me for my address. I gave it to them and yesterday I got a check the mail for $800. It really works. I wanted you to get a piece of the action. You won't regret it.
>Editors Note: It's technically impossible to track forwarded emails.
Problems with your AOL Account
Dear Member,
We regret to inform you that we have encountered problems billing your account. This could be due to problems with your credit card, or lost or corrupted account information on our server. To help us correct the problem, please push "Reply" and respond with your full billing information. You do not have to use the same credit card that you used when you originally registered with America Online; you may use a different one. However, if you do use a different one, please indicate so!
Please provide us with the following information:
* Your credit card number
* Credit card expiration date
* Your full name
* Street Address
* City, State, and Zip Code
* Home telephone number
* Social Security Number
Please respond within 24 hours of receiving this message to continue your subscription to AOL. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes you, and assure you that it will not happen again. After we verify the credit information you provide, you will receive a $24.95 refund. Thank you for using America Online!
Editor's Note: No one should give out any kind of private information such as credit card information simply because an email tells them to - this goes for passwords as well. No legitimate company would send an email asking for that information.
Curt B. Please Forward Chain Letter
Dear Friends
My name is Curt and I live in Charleston, SC. My son Jermaine recently was hit by a car in front of our apartment. Little Jermaine has had many problems with his lungs and right arm since the accident. Our medical costs have become extremely expensive. Jermaine was recently moved to a hospital in Colombia, SC and the move was very expensive. I could not keep my job at the sanitation department due to the move. A billionaire in Georgia has promised to give $.05 for every time this email is forwarded. If you wouldn't mind forwarding this to everyone on your list I would greatly appreciate it as well as my son. Your good deeds could really save his life. Please take a few seconds to help us in our time of need. I know how many of these go around and I want you to know that they really help, if you have any doubts, please E-mail me at the hospital, they have been so kind as to set me up with an e-mail account. My address is: beermanc@musc.edu at lease have a heart and forward this. Remember: What goes around comes around.
Bug's Life Screensaver Virus
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT VIRUS MESSAGE FORWARDED TO MY OFFICE. Someone is sending out a very desirable screen-saver, a Bug's Life-"BUGGLST.ZIP". If you download it, you will lose everything!!! Your hard drive will crash and someone form the Internet will get your screen name and password!!
DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES !!!
It just went into circulation May 13, 1999, as far as anyone knows. Please distribute this message. This is a new, very malicious virus and not many people know about it. This information was announced by Microsoft. Please share it with anyone who might access the internet. Also, do not open or even look at any mail that says 'RETURNED OR UNABLE TO DELIVER". This virus will attach itself to your computer components and render them useless. Immediately delete mail items that say this. AOL says this is a very dangerous virus and there is no remedy for it at this time.
Editor's Note: This is the exact text used in the Budweiser Screensaver email.
1) Never open email attachments
2) Run windows update, or 'software update' regularly
3) Use virus checker program and keep it updated
