Jared Fogle Is Not Dead

Jared S. Fogel, best known as the spokesman for Subway sandwich shop “The Subway Guy” Born December 1st, 1977 – Died yesterday at 4:43pm EST.

So reads the first paragraph of Mr. Fogle’s fake online obituary on JaredRemembered.com. Just who is Jared Fogle? Jared Fogle is the popular spokesman for Subway sandwiches. You’ve seen him in many a commercial for the sandwich chain as the guy who was fat and then ate only Subway and got skinny. It’s a true story and a marketer’s dream come true.

Perhaps his popularity was to blame for the internet prank. False celebrity death notices are nothing new in the age of the internet. Just ask the Blues Clues guy, Steve Burns, whose reported death became an urban legend, online and off. This most recent hoax was apparently very believable, as it was picked up on several blogs.

In all likelihood, pranksters are behind the false remembrance page. But the web page, to the casual observer, lends the claim of authority. Who knows how many people will be misled by this sort of thing?

The whole episode shows just how susceptible to fraud your online reputation can be. Jared Fogle was targeted because of his celebrity, but everyone is at risk of digital identity theft and profile jacking. It is something we all need to be aware of when we are online. Controlling your personal reputation online is vital, and ReputationDefender reminds you that vigilance is required to protect your good name.

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