This is nearly as bad as forwarding emails for urban legends. For the past 2 days a text – sms – message was circulating around the Shreveport / Bossier City area claiming a gang initiation at Wal-Mart was going to take place. Supposedly, 3 women would be shot.
FWD: Police r askn all women do not go to walmart 2nite there is a gang initiation n 3 women will be shot. This is not a prank this is serious. ::pRAYiN 4 sTReNG
My neighbors were in a frenzy. The public were calling radio stations. The Shreveport police issued a statement refuting the “gang initiation”. Obviously, it was started by someone who (1) had a beef with WalMart and wanted to harm their business for an evening or (2) was bored and had nothing better to do. Mission accomplished on both counts.
Can you trust a “fwd” in a text message? Not anymore than you can trust one in an email. 99% of them are jokes, myths, urban legends, or just plain stupid. Please stop spreading them unless you know something for a FACT.