Who wouldn't want a free gift certificate to Applebee's for the family?  How would turn down the chance to get some new Gap jeans for free?  Even better, who couldn't use a new laptop or a new cell phone, for free?  We all know that no much is really "free" but wouldn't it be worth it to forward an e-mail to 7 online friends and get a free gift?

Sure it would. If only it was true.

If you've had a e-mail account for more than a week and have at list one e-mail buddy then no doubt seen the free offers.  Have you ever responded and forwarded the e-mail?  Have you EVER gotten your free gift? My answers are yes, I've tried it and no, I've never received a free gift.  Nine years later I am still waiting for Applebee's to send me my free $25.00 gift certificate. 

Here's a sample of the versions of this e-mail: 

Example:(Submitted via email, January 2005):

Subject: Applebee's - don't delete

My name is Bill Palmer, founder of Applebee's. In an attempt to get our name out to more people in the rural communities where we are not currently located, we are offering a $50 gift certificate to anyone who forwards this email to 9 of their friends. Just send this email to them and you will receive an email back with a confirmation number to claim your gift certificate.

Sincerely

Bill Palmer

Founder of Applebee's

 Hey guys,

DON'T DELETE THIS EMAIL

It really works, I tried it and got my Gift certificate confirmation number in 3 minutes.

It really doesn't and neither does the e-mail hoax that is supposedly from Ericsson for a free laptop computer, and sorry Gap isn't instant messaging free printable gift certificates either.  These are all e-mail hoaxes.

Here are five tips for determining if an offer is legit:

1. Do the math.

Within less than 24 hours, one email sent to just two people, sent to 2 more and on and  on, can reach over 150 Million e-mail addresses.  If even 1% of people claimed their computer, Sony would be giving out 1.5 MILLION computers, and would be filing for bankruptcy the next day.  They do give out free computers, but a computer, even barebones, has some real cost.  Let's say it's a cheap laptop for $90, and they send it to you for $10.  Those are really conservative numbers.  That means that now, Sony has spent 150 MILLION dollars to give away free computers.  It just doesn't make business sense and doesn't pass the muster for common sense either. 

2.  The tracking theory is flawed. 

There are keyloggers and malware to be sure but is it really possible for a company to track the millions of e-mails that bounce from Comcast, Hotmail, G-mail, MSN, Hughesnet, Jetbroadband and other e-mail providers?  It's just not realistic.

3. Legit companies wouldn't notify you by an e-mail address.

Another way you know it's a fake for sure is that it tells you to notify someone at their personal email address. If Ericson was honestly trying to give away computers, don't you think they would be able to set up "computergiveaway@SonyEricson.com?" In fact their own web site warns customers of the e-mail hoax.

4. Check the company website.

If a company is actually doing a free giveaway promotion, they'll tell you on their very own website.  Many companies that have been named in fake e-mails such as Ericsson and Applebee's have statements on their websites warning customers about the fake e-mails. 

5.  Check the story out yourself.

Most people are aware of the ability to check out scams at websites such as snopes.com but many fake e-mails try to prevent this by having someone or even more than one person claim that they have checked it out personally and that it is legit.  It's not. 

There are many sources for checking out suspicious e-mails including:

• snopes.com
• hoax-slayer.com
• urbanlegends.about.com
• www.laptops-drivers.com
• netbook-nettop.blogspot.com

If you thought the odds of winning the lottery or the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes were high, remember that at least there are odds.  With e-mail hoaxes that promise free products the only odds are that you are wasting your time unless you use these five tip to avoid to being scammed.