Updated Top Urban Legends, Hoaxes, and Myths on the Internet

From the abyss of cyber space come tidbits of gossip, overblown stories, and myths. Some of these urban methods may have passed through your email box.

So it goes, urban legends are born and circulate on the net like wildfire. According to snopes.com, the following are some of the latest myths of which you should be aware.

1. Magic Eraser Hoax
A current email says Magic Erasers have been pulled from grocery shelves because they have been found to contain formaldehyde. According to Snopes.com, this is the number one rumor floating around the internet right now. It is completely false. The Magic Eraser rumor plays on current fears and concerns about chemical use in household products. Febreze, Dawn, Swiffer, Resolve, and others have been subjects of the same type of email hoaxes.

According to Magic Eraser, there are no harmful chemicals used in the manufacture of the cleaning sponge. It contains an alkaline base, but does not contain formaldehyde. It may irritate the skin, but other than that poses no health risk to the consumer or their children. The greatest risk posed by this product is if a piece were to be bitten off and swallowed. This would likely result in a blockage of the intestinal tract. In other words, this is a cleaning product, not a toy.

2. Hoax: Your Cell Phone Number must be submitted to the national no call registry.

The current claim is that everyone has a deadline to enter their cell phone number with the Do Not Call Registry. If their phone numbers are not listed on the Do Not Call Registry they will be released to telemarketers. These rumors grew from the proposed creation of wireless directory assistance, a 411 for cell phones. The directory is supposed to be an opt-in directory offered by cell phone providers.

This email is not true. It is a hoax.

If you are receiving text messages from marketers, you have probably entered your cell phone number on a website that is collecting numbers for marketing purposes. Check your emails and opt out of any subscription emails from which you don't want to hear.