If you forward spam: 

• It slows down provider networks consuming bandwidth and disk space - generally driving up costs for all of us.
• You force others to waste time sifting through the messages and possibly taking time to verify the information
• You are spreading hype and, sometimes unnecessary fear and paranoia.
• Sometimes, you are spreading malicious code, or even a virus. 

Yes, emails can now carry malicious code.  Unlike in the past when it was the attachment that could infect your computer, now emails are coded like webpages to display great images and content in your email.   To protect yourself, set your email client to TEXT only and always check text only when you subscribe to any email service. (And, always virus scan attachments.)

HoaxBusters and Snope.com are great sites to check FIRST before spreading that Spam.  Tell your friends, too!