Rule #1: It’s not true.

Rule #2: See rule #1.

Some sample FAQs to help you determine if the forwarded email is true:

Q: It sounds really bad, so it must be true, right?
A: It’s not true.

Q: It sounds just like the kind of thing those evil people in the political party I disagree with would do, so it’s probably true, right?
A: It’s not true.

Q: One of the guys who sent it said that he’s a doctor, lawyer, or friend of Bill Gates, so it’s true, right?
A: It’s not true.

Q: It was sent to me by a really smart person, so it’s true, right?
A: It’s not true.

Q: But it says that if I don’t forward it out, that I hate America, puppies, Christmas, and sick little kids?
A: It’s not true.

Q: But … but … but …
A: It’s not true.