How many times have you received an e-mail like this in the last 10 years? The idea that, to avoid some sort of federal investigation, Bill Gates has to give away a certain amount of money to Microsoft users. And to be automatically put on the recipient list, you just have to forward this e-mail to everyone you know...

Now, as you're slipping away into disbelief, they quickly add, "I didn't believe it either. But then my friend showed me the check he got from Bill Gates for $13,493.43!" That line was usually enough to make people temporarily forget they were smart.

Recently, a girl at work forwarded me this e-mail along with a quick line of hope, "Who knows if it's real?! But I could sure use 13 grand!!" I responded as I've done every time for the past 10 years.

"This totally works! Just last week, I got a check in the mail!"

Her response, "No you didn't!"

Mine? "Then, why did you send me the e-mail?"