Instant Messenger Hoax

Summary: Forward these instant messages or face the consequences.

Circulation: Variations since c. 1999

Status: Hoax

The Debunking

I received this one recently, after a long dry spell of not receiving ANY hoaxes, from a good friend that I thought I had trained not to forward hoaxes. I guess I was wrong on that account. Note to self: send a thank you to Shauna.

So, I open my messenger and there is the Yahoo! version of the hoax, although it's been circulated in various programs and with slightly different details. What remains the same is the ending - forward this to everyone on your list. That's the kicker here...

WHOEVER DOESN'T SEND THIS MESSAGE YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND IT WILL COST $10.00 A MONTH TO USE IT! TO SEND 2 EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST, RIGHT CLICK ON YOUR GROUP DO NOT DELETE

Well, just that one section should set off the red flags a-flying: your account will be deactivated and you will have to pay money to use it. Wait - if it's deactivated, why are they charging you $10 per month and how can you use it if it's deactivated?

Ok, so let's put the obvious aside and really dissect the message. Note: Even though this instant message came via Yahoo! Messenger, there are variants going around for AIM, Windows and others. In this particular debunking, I'm focusing on Yahoo! Messenger's version of the hoax.

  • Jay Russell is not Yahoo!'s president. That position is being filled by this woman: Susan Decker. (ref: CNN Money article)
  • Facts about Yahoo!
    • According to one of Yahoo!'s Fun Facts, there are more Yahoo! email addresses (users) than two times the population of Mexico City. Taking into account that Mexico City (D.F.) is the world's second most populated city and the 2005 census is reported to be 19.2 million people, I think the supposed Yahoo! upper limit has been surpassed somewhere around 37 million accounts ago.
    • According to another Yahoo! fun fact, "If all Yahoo! users joined hands to form a chain, they would wrap around the Earth eleven times." (ibid)
  • I still don't understand the connection between reaching the maximum number of accounts and charging people for use. Follow my logic: If Yahoo! has finally reached the maximum number of users, how does charging people $10 per month solve the maximum number of accounts dilemma? It doesn't. Unless you want to add in that by charging people money, they'll inevitably lose people and thereby free up some accounts. The problem with that is the message didn't say that and I think that the "Yahoo President Jay Russell" knows what he's supposed to send you.
  • Speaking of "Yahoo President Jay Russell," do me a favor and go to the Yahoo! website. While you're there, look at the logo. Did you notice what the logo says? It says Yahoo! (it has an exclamation point). The instant message I received doesn't have one anywhere. This Jay Russell character musn't know what his company is named. The real company is VERY picky about that and insists the reps use the exclamation point!
  • We are encouraged to send the message within 8 days so our account remains free. Eight days from what date? Is that 8 days from the time I read it or 8 days from when the person sent it to me (those dates are not even close together in my case, since I haven't been online in weeks)? Or, could it possibly be 8 days from the time Yahoo President Jay Russell sent it out? Someone pleeeeease tell me when I can start timing this!!

Do we really need to go any further debunking this message?

So, why is it that reasonable people will tell you "This can't be for real" then proceed to do ignore their own pronouncement and send the stupid message? Anyone??

Original Text

this can't be for real lol This is Yahoo President Jay Russell, I am sorry to announce that Yahoo has reached its maximum number of accounts two million. If you would like to keep your account for free send this to everyone on your list. This way we can know which accounts are being used and which accounts we can delete. Send this within 8 days and your account will remain free. Once again I am sincerely sorry that I have to do this. Please start sending. Jay Russell, Yahoo Management Renee: WHOEVER DOESN'T SEND THIS MESSAGE YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND IT WILL COST $10.00 A MONTH TO USE IT! TO SEND 2 EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST, RIGHT CLICK ON YOUR GROUP DO NOT DELETE

Links

Yahoo! management team - no Jay Russell anywhere in sight.