Don't Forward Hoaxes

Hoaxes are chain letters telling interesting (sometimes funny, often scaring) stories of computer viruses, something for free (even money), new laws and much more. They all have one thing in common: they are not true.
Don't Forward Hoaxes

This is why you should

not forward such a story unless you have investigated it yourself.

You will

irritate those that do not spot the hoax and
they will probably pass it on, causing more irritation.

Those that identify the hoax will likely send you a message notifying you that you passed on an urban legend.

If you know a message is a hoax but have a specific reason to forward it nevertheless (for scientific purposes, for example), you might want to include your reason with the message.
(About.com)