Mike,

     Thanks again for lunch it was great!

     Best regards,

     Steve

First of all, my name is Larry not Mike and secondly, I had not gone to lunch with anyone named Steve. Upon a closer look at the subject line which said: "Thanks For Lunch Mike ixwxxd" I realized that it was an e-mail sent with the intention that I send back an e-mail explaining that they got the wrong person, etc. NOT!! The "ixwxxd" is their own tracking code. To respond would confirm my e-mail address as a working one and then I would be put on another annoying "spam" e-mail list. Don't fall for this "spammer" trick!

Info from the AT&T Fraud Education site regarding: revealing your calling-card-number, cramming and slamming, placing international calls without realizing it and a popular call-forwarding scam. Click here.

If you would like to know more about "How to Filter SPAM" -- not the kind you eat -- here are some ways to do it on four of the most popular e-mail programs!

Got SPAM?  -  Read "Canning the SPAM" by America's beloved "Digital Goddess," and national TalkRadio host, Kim Komando.

File a Complaint

Report SPAM to the Federal Trade Commission by using the online FTC Consumer Complaint Form. Use this form to submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection about a particular company or organization. If you have been a victim of Identity Theft, there is also a form for that. More info.

There are two very insightful articles about spam on the ScamBusters website. The first is called "The Fine Line Between Legitimate E-Mail Marketing And Spam," by Clifford Kurtzman, President, Tenagra Corp. Find it at http://www.scambusters.org/stopspam/stop-spam.html.

The second article is called "What Is Spam (And What Isn't)?" by Walter Daniels at http://www.scambusters.org/stopspam/what-is-spam.html.

Lots of content to share about spam and a venue to sound off about spam at www.InformationWeek.com.

www.LIEmails.com - A truly unique form of online "ministry." The next time you get e-mail, check here "before" you forward it. Don't just believe it, even if it's from a friend or otherwise-reliable source. You can help stop e-mail lies!

You will find a couple of pages of great info at http://www.scambusters.org/legends.html and http://www.scambusters.org/otherhoaxes.html.

Five Tips for Avoiding E-mail Viruses - An informative article by Bill Ringle, America's Internet Business Coach. He works with organizations that want to grow or improve their business using the Internet and with business leaders who want to use technology to increase their impact.

Give your e-mail a reality check!  Here are some more links that will assist you in checking out your suspicions about virus warnings and possible hoax e-mails:

  www.MuseumofHoaxes.com - This site is a Museum Blog of hoaxes.

  www.F-Secure.com - This site is considered the industry standard information source for new virus hoaxes and false alerts.

www.TruthorFiction.com - Check out rumors, inspirational stories, virus warnings, humorous tales, pleas for help, urban legends, prayer requests and calls to action to see if they are TRUTH! or FICTION!

http://www.thatsrich.com/hoaxes.htm - "How to Spot a Virus Hoax" by Joe Wells.

http://www.sophos.com/downloads/ide/index.html#melissa - Latest virus identities for Sophos Anti-Virus.

http://www.nonprofit.net/hoax/default.htm - Hoax Catalog. "Don't Spread That Hoax!"

http://www.vmyths.com/ - Computer Virus Myths home page.

http://mcafee.com/ - Virus Information Library.

The AFU & Urban Legends Archive - An urban legend appears mysteriously and spreads spontaneously in varying forms (many by e-mail); contains elements of humor or horror (the horror often "punishes" someone who flouts society's conventions); makes good storytelling and does NOT have to be false, although most are. Urban legends often have a basis in fact, but it's their life after-the-fact (particularly in reference to the second and third points) that gives them particular interest. Check out the many "Urban Legend Topics," then buy the book below.

The Big Book of Urban Legends - Jan Harold Brunvand, Robert Loren Fleming, Robert F. Boyd (Contributor) - This collection of strange and bizarre anecdotal tales drawn (ostensibly) from real life contains 200 stories that have circulated across metropolitan areas - all invariably sworn to be true. "The Poodle in the Microwave," "The Mouse in the Coke Bottle," and "The Accidental Cannibals" are just a few of the legends presented in this volume. Larry's Review: Very interesting reading. Dispells many of the myths and hoaxes you receive by e-mail.

Business Opportunity Scams - This Federal Trade Commission site helps potential investors spot business opportunity fraud. It offers sample sites, recourse for victims, and tips on how to spot a scam. It also links to U.S. states' anti-fraud legal agencies.

Trend Micro, Inc. - This site lists the top 10 virus' worldwide. You will also find an excellent "Hoax" resource.

www.pixelprivacy.com - A terrific guide to identity theft.

Virus Myths - This site's message is that the hysteria caused by fear of viruses can be more destructive than the viruses themselves. It features an extensive list of myths, misconceptions and urban legends surrounding viruses. Now you know!

Follow the links to more great Internet info!

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Larry James • CelebrateLove.com • P.O. Box 12695 • Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695 • 480 205-3694 •

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