Urban Legends That You Should Know
The Internet is a great way to get information quickly. But sometimes, information can be misleading. A couple of the staff members here at Apartments.com have wondered about some rumors floating around the Internet and launched an investigation to find out the truth. Below are some true urban legends that are interesting, and perhaps important, to know about.
Legend: Cordless phones with dying batteries can dial 9-1-1 on their own.
If an older-model cordless phone still has the battery in it and starts to die, it can malfunction and dial 9-1-1 amongst other random numbers. Cell phones can do the same thing, although such reports are rare. Take the batteries out of phones you are not using just in case.
Legend: A woman is robbed and/or assulted when she is pulled over by someone who she thinks is a police officer.
Criminals have often used the fact that police officers sometimes drive unmarked police cars to their advantage. If you are being pulled over by an unmarked car (especially if you are alone or are in an isolated area), you have the right to ask to see the officer’s badge. If he/she fails to produce it or you do not feel that it is real, you should drive to the nearest station to be sure. Many states now allow people to drive to a safe, public location if they are being pulled over by an unmarked car.
Legend: Gel candles can explode and cause a fire.
Although the likelyhood of a gel candle exploding is low, it is true that gel candles pose a greater fire risk than wax candles. The gel can overheat and melt over or expand, causing the candleholder to shatter. Avoid lighting gel candles near other heat sources and always monitor burning candles, no matter what type they are.
Legend: Friday the 13th is an unlucky day.
Of course, no one can actually prove that this is true. However, history is full of examples of the dislike for the number thirteen and the day Friday. The British Medical Journal published a study in 1993 that showed that more car accidents happen on Friday the 13th than on Friday the 6th. This despite the fact that less people choose to drive on the 13th. Example of the power of suggestion? Possibly, but we’re not walking under any ladders come the next Friday the 13th.
Legend: The area codes 809, 284 and 876 should NEVER be dialed.
This scam has been identified by the National Fraud Information Center as real, and it’s pretty scary. Here’s how it works: You get an anonymous message on your machine saying anything from “you won a prize” to “a close family member has died in an accident.” You are given a number to call that starts with one of these area codes. These area codes are for the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, respectively. Because these numbers are not regulated by the U.S. government, you can be charged without being informed. When you call back, they try to keep you on the line as long as possible, resulting in a phone bill that can quickly reach hundreds of dollars. An email warning commonly sent out says that the cost is $2400 a minute; the rate is not this high but it is still significant. An important note: If you have a friend or family member in this area code, calling them is not a problem. It is only a scam when done in a scenario like the one described above.
If you’re curious about a chain email, or want to know if a rumor is true or false, visit www.snopes.com. It’s a blast to read!
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