The icon contains a picture of the teddy bear and is most likely the result of a humorous computer programmer. This popular e-mail hoax has been around for quite a while and simply states that a harmless Windows program contains a virus and should be deleted from your system. The program is part of an older Windows Java debugging system so most people will not be affected if they actually delete the file.

Spammers often use reverse psychology to improve their e-mail lists. The spammer sends an e-mail with a legit looking advertisement or newsletter and add an 'unsubscribe' link to the bottom of the e-mail. However, these e-mails are created to weed out e-mail addresses that are actually being used to retrieve mail. These live e-mail addresses are very valuable to the spammer, so selecting 'unsubscribe' will soon lead to a flood of spam in your mailbox.

E-mail phishing is a new and very dangerous method for scammers to retrieve your personal information. The scammer sends an e-mail imitating a legitimate websites such as PayPal, eBay or financial institution. The e-mail itself will look like it comes from the legitimate source and will also point to a website that looks legitimate. However, close observation of the URL will show that the site is bogus. These sites will claim that your account has been compromised in some way and that you need to immediately send them vital information such as account numbers and Social Security numbers. These dangerous e-mails should be reported immediately.

One of the most common forms of scam is the advance fee scam. These scams promise large sums of money, prizes, vacations or other rewards if you simply send a small fee for processing or other purpose. Since the e-mail claims that you'll receive a very large monetary reward, the fee will seem small in comparison and people often happily send it. The most common form of the advance fee scam is the Nigerian Bank scam. This scam promises massive amounts of money, often in the millions, that needs to be transferred to a new bank account from a foreign country such as Nigeria. The upfront costs can often be in the thousands.

Another common e-mail scam is the prize or lottery scam. Like most scams, if you are asked to pay an upfront fee then the e-mail should be deleted. Other red flags for this type of scam are if you were offered 'bait' prizes or asked to purchase 'exclusive' items. Finally, if you don't recall ever entering the mentioned contest or lottery than you're mostly being scammed. If you are sent coupons, they are most likely from a legit company and they will be honored.

Participating in a pyramid scheme cannot make anyone any money. The only thing that happens in a pyramid scheme is a shift of wealth, usually to first few scammers that started the whole thing in the first place. Even if everyone participated in the pyramid scheme, there would be no people left to join after just ten levels. Even though it sounds like a sure way to make money fast it is actually mathematically impossible to do so. These type of scams were so common that they are now illegal in most countries including the United States and all 50 states.

A Ponzi scheme is similar to a pyramid scheme, but has a few vital differences. First of all, a Ponzi scheme involves investments and his not as simple a sending money to people in a list. The other key difference from a pyramid scheme is the fact that there is only one person involved in a Ponzi scheme as opposed to potential thousands in a pyramid scheme. Ponzi schemes are not illegal but should be avoided nonetheless as only a handful of people ever make any money while the rest lose out. As with most scams, the scammers themselves come out the winners.

One of the oldest mail ploys has moved into the e-mail sector. This would be the well-known chain letter. Although chain letters are not always associated with scams, they can be a time-consuming nuisance. Chain e-mails can grow rather large in size as people add content to them and forward them quickly and easily to dozens of their friends. This wastes bandwidth and other resources on the Internet. Although most chain letters are not scams, they often contain hoaxes and other damaging information.

A very expensive and often successful scam has found its way into e-mail. This is the popular employment scam. In this scam you are sent a check to be deposited into your bank account. The scammer claims they are unable to transfer the money themselves an operative pay you a commission for your kind deed. You then send a smaller sum of money to the scammer thinking you have come across a windfall of money. A few days later the bank notifies you that the check is no good and deducts the entire amount from your bank account.

Urban legends are hoaxes usually based on fear that have been circulating for decades. In the past they have been circulated by word-of-mouth mostly over the telephone. Urban legends have made their way into e-mail messages and have spread rapidly throughout the Internet. The most common urban legends are associated with dangers that could not possibly happen in real life. Two common examples of urban legends are alligators in sewers and poisoned payphone buttons.

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