rush

Don't lie. Fraternities are built on morality and values. Each fraternity has them. And don't try so hard. At most, if you see someone in letters try and talk to them . Other than that, wait for rush and when it comes around be yourself. You'll do fine.

Did you REALLY just ask if you should lie about being a legacy?
You might outta reconsider rushing in the first place if that's your mindset.
With that being said, if they really wanted to find out it shouldn't be that hard. As long as they are a fraternity with decent nationals they shouldn't have much trouble contacting someone like their regional director, etc. to find the badge number of whichever family member your the "legacy" of.

In short, don't lie. If you can't get a bid without it then you don't belong in the first place. Might suck, but it's the truth.

I was in the same mindset as you last summer coming into fall rush. Dont freak out about it too much. go through rush be yourself and dont try hard to impress people. Dont go into rush with preconceived notions either. I know i sure did and almost chose the wrong house for me but ended up where i needed to be after some consideration.

Don't you want to get into a fraternity that accepts you for you? Why would you want to get into one that just accepts you and likes you for your lies? First of all, they can see right through it. If you have some guys that you're close friends with that are in fraternities, sure ask them about rush and what to expect and what not. But don't go into it trying to "get ahead in the game". I've talked to guys who fully regret joining a frat even if it's a top one just because they thought it would look good to be a KE/ATO whatever, and then get there and hate it because it's not where they belong. Be yourself and don't worry so much about what's top and how to get ahead in the game or whatever. Go into it wanting a brotherhood. You'll end up where you belong if you go at it that way. Lying about anything will just make you look and feel foolish.

Most fraternities have internet databases where you can look up any brother who has been initiated. Don't lie.