New Anthrax Scare in Tide Sample Packets Seem to Be a Hoax

Early this morning I received a forwarding text message instructing me not to open any Tide detergent packets sent through the mail, as it contains the deadly acute disease Anthrax. The message further states that seven people have already died from these samples and suggests that the text message be forwarded to all you may know. With a bit of research, I have learned that this seemingly hoax text is a derivative to another mass texting hoax of sample perfumes that also killed seven people, which started some years ago. See the similarities? Some people may remember this and may be able to find many similarities in the claim, where the subject matter is simply changed. Perfume to Anthrax!

The question now is, why do this? What is the reason for this type of mass texting hoax and the mass hysteria it can cause? When it comes to mass texting, there are many advantages for one to utilize. For businesses, mass texting is another, and perhaps better way of marketing and advertising. As e-mail and ad postings have been pushed to the back-end of advertisement, mass texting has taken its place. For one, mass texting can save a company lots of money over the traditional form of marketing, as television & radio ads prove to be very costly. Companies look at very little over-head while exploiting their business and services over a wide ranged audience, including international recognition. Just like word of mouth, which has been proclaimed to be perhaps the best form of advertisement, mass texting is its derivative and works in quite the same manner. Instead of hearing of a person's experience about a company or product by ear, simply reading about it and passing the word on through texting serves as a similar method with a different platform of relaying that message.

In another instance, mass texting may be used to simply start some type of drama. A scare or prank of some sort, by the hands of people with perhaps too much idle time on their hands. Whatever the case, this form of "getting the word out" is taking the globe by storm. So much so that there are companies dedicated to providing just this type of service. SMS Texting and Mass SMS Texting as it is formally known. The objective is to always beware, when reading a mass text and to do necessary research before engaging or entertaining the matter.

urbanlegends.about.com/b/2011/01/06/anthrax-in-tide-detergent-hoax.htm#commentform
ezinearticles.com/