Warn your friends! CLICK HERE NOW to EMAIL THEM!

Elgin, Quebec: --The Elgin Research Center (ERC) for the Investigation of Irregular Internet Phenomena announced today that many Internet users are becoming infected by a new virus that causes them to believe without question every groundless story, legend, and dire warning that shows up in their inbox or on their browser. The Gullibility Virus, as it is called, apparently makes people believe and forward copies of silly hoaxes relating to hair shampoos, cleaning products, email viruses, taxes on modems, and stupid get-rich-quick schemes such as"Bill Gates and AOL are giving away FREE MONEY"

"These are not just readers of tabloids or people who buy lottery tickets based on fortune cookie numbers," an Elgin spokesman said. "Most are otherwise normal people, who would laugh at the same stories if told to them by a stranger on a street corner." However, once these same people become infected with the Gullibility Virus, they believe anything they read on the Internet.

Need a challenge?Just read THIS SHOCKING STORY about Gomer Pyle, Rock Hudson and a drunken gerbil!
Is it TRUE? or False? Warning! It may contain Poutine!

"My immunity to tall tales and bizarre claims is all gone," reported one weeping victim who lives in Elgin. "I believe every warning message and sick child story my friends forward to me, even though most of the messages are anonymous."

Another victim, "Ian" in Huntingdon Quebec, who is now in remission, added, "When I first heard about the horrible dangers of CFL light-bulbs , I just accepted it without question. After all, there were dozens of reports of this on the radio and TV, so I thought the danger must be true." It was a long time, the victim said, before he could stand up at a Hoaxees Anonymous meeting and state, "My name is Ian, and I've been hoaxed!" Now, however, Ian of Huntingdon is spreading the word. "Challenge and check whatever you read," he says.

Or, let a doctor examine you!
or

Internet users are urged to examine themselves! There may be symptoms of this virus, which include the following:

The willingness to believe improbable stories without thinking. The urge to forward multiple copies of such stories to others. A lack of desire to take three minutes to check to see if a story is true.

An elderly Pointe-Claire, Quebec hockey player, "Geezer Des" is just such an example of someone recently infected. He told one reporter, "I read on the Net that the major ingredient in CLR will burn your flesh to the bone and THEN give you Cancer! As well I have stopped using flouride-laden toothpaste! Instead, I scrub my teeth with environmentally-friendly steel wool." When told about the Gullibility Virus, "Des" said he would stop logging onto Facebook, so that he would not become infected.

Anyone with symptoms like these is urged to seek help immediately. Our ERC Experts recommend that at the first feelings of gullibility, Internet users should RUSH TO THEIR FAVOURITE SEARCH ENGINE and look up the item tempting them to thoughtless credence. Most hoaxes, legends, and tall tales have been widely discussed and exposed by the Internet community.

Don't let this Wally guy fool you as well!

Courses in critical thinking are also widely available, and there is online help from many sources, including:

SNOPES! Some of it is SHOCKING! please read THIS. 

HOAX SLAYER! They will set you straight.

Rich Urban Legends! How to spot them!

Lastly, as a public service, Internet users can help stamp out the Gullibility Virus by sending copies of this message to anyone who forwards them a hoax.

Warn your friends! CLICK HERE NOW to EMAIL THEM!

This message is so important, we're sending it anonymously! Forward it to all your friends NOW! Don't think about it! This is not a chain letter! THIS STORY IS TRUE! Don't check it out! This story is so timely, there is never any date on it!
This story is so important, we're using lots of exclamation points! Lots!!
For every message you forward to some unsuspecting person, We will donate NINE CENTS to the Bill Gates/AOL email-tracking fund (below)!