The fact-check archive.
Thousands of dissected hoaxes in Indonesian and English: the claim, what the fact-checkers found, and the sources to verify it yourself.
1,939 fact-checks
Clear filters ×- ✕Hoax
‘You Have Been Mentioned on This Photo’ SMS Spam
According to this message, which is currently being distributed via SMS, you have been “mentioned on a photo”. The message includes a link that you can supposedly tap to see the photo and the alleged mention.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 4, 2018
- ✕Hoax
Netflix ‘Your Account is on Hold’ Phishing Scam
According to this email, your Netflix account has been put on hold because the company is having trouble with your current billing information.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 4, 2018
- !MisleadingDisinformation
Are Asylum-Seekers Getting Numbers Written on Their Arms at the United States Border?
An image purportedly from the United States’ border with Mexico has raised concerns — and questions about its veracity.
Truth or Fiction · English · Dec 3, 2018
- ✓CredibleVerified
TRUE – SpongeBob SquarePants Creator Stephen Hillenburg Has Died
Image: © depositphotos.com/nicescene Unfortunately, it is true that Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of much-loved animated series SpongeBob SquarePants has died.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 28, 2018
- ✕Hoax
Beware of Scam ‘Medicare Rebate’ Text Messages
Australian residents have been receiving fraudulent text messages claiming that they are owed a Medicare rebate. The messages prompt you to follow a link to get the supposed rebate.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 28, 2018
- ✕Hoax
Bogus FedEx ‘Shipping Status’ Email Points to Malware
This email, which purports to be from “FedEx.com Online Services”, supposedly supplies information about an order that is about to be delivered to you.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 28, 2018
- !MisleadingDisinformation
Was Teargas Used ‘Once a Month’ at the Border Under the Obama Administration?
Stories attempting to justify a cross-border chemical attack on unarmed people in Mexico omit crucial details and show no supporting evidence.
Truth or Fiction · English · Nov 27, 2018
- ✕Hoax
Australia Post Issues Warning About SMS Prize Scams
Australia Post is warning consumers about fraudulent text messages that claim that they have won a prize. The messages, which look like they were sent by Australia Post, claim that you are one of five lucky winners and should click a link to get your prize.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 27, 2018
- ✕Hoax
WhatsApp Blind Baby Donation Hoax Still Circulating
According to this widely circulated message, WhatsApp will donate money to help a blind baby each time her picture is shared. The message, which has been circulating in various forms since mid-2017, claims that the pictured baby was born blind and needs…
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 27, 2018
- ✕Hoax
‘Someone Sent You Some Files’ Phishing Email Claims to be From WeTransfer
This email, which purports to be from cloud-based file transfer service WeTransfer claims that someone has sent you some files. The email, which includes the WeTransfer logo, urges you to click a link to download your files.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 27, 2018
- !MisleadingDisinformation
Were Photographs Showing the United States Firing Teargas at a Crowd in Mexico ‘Staged’?
Images of a woman pulling two children away from chemical agents at the international border were quickly decried as fake — but they are real.
Truth or Fiction · English · Nov 26, 2018
- ✕Hoax
Watch For Bogus Facebook Posts Offering Center Parcs Holiday Prizes
According to a post being shared across Facebook, you can comment and share for the chance to win a holiday for 4 people from holiday company Center Parcs. The post purports to be from a person called “Mark Frendon” who claims to be the CEO of Center Parcs.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 26, 2018
- ✕Hoax
Fake-News Story Claims Millions of Turkeys Recalled Due to Avian Virus
This story was first published on November 24, 2014 According to a report that has circulated in November every year since 2014, the CDC has recalled millions of Thanksgiving turkeys because of concerns that they may harbour an avian virus.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 22, 2018
- ✕Hoax
WhatsApp Gold and Martinelli – How a Valid Warning Got Mixed Up With a Silly Hoax
Image: © depositphotos.com/eskaylim According to a message that regularly makes the rounds via WhatsApp, you should not open any message prompting you to update to WhatsApp Gold. It warns that WhatsApp Gold is a virus.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 22, 2018
- ✕Hoax
‘Happy Thanksgiving From Walmart’ Free Coupon Scam Post Hitting Facebook
According to a post being shared on Facebook, Walmart is giving away free $50 off coupons to celebrate Thanksgiving. The post invites you to click to get your coupon.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 21, 2018
- ✕Hoax
‘Don’t Forget About The Shame’ Fake Sextortion Scam
According to this email, the sender has infected your computer with malware and was thus able to record video of you when you visited a porn website. The sender also claims to have downloaded your contact list.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 21, 2018
- ✕Hoax
Two Cranes Tipping Off Pier Photographs
This story was first published on August 7th 2008.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 21, 2018
- !MisleadingDisinformation
Did Leeds Trinity University Ban Capital Letters to Avoid Frightening Students?
A widely misinterpreted memo launched a thousand think pieces about “snowflake” students.
Truth or Fiction · English · Nov 20, 2018
- !MisleadingDisinformation
Does a Photograph Prove that Michael Avenatti (or Keith Ellison) Badly Beat a Woman?
A years-old image of unknown provenance is being used as “proof” of abuse claims against specific individuals.
Truth or Fiction · English · Nov 19, 2018
- !MisleadingDisinformation
Is a Caravan of Central American Asylum-Seekers Demanding Special Treatment?
Rumors that hundreds of people waiting in Tijuana are insisting on only receiving specific dishes while they wait for their asylum claims to be processed come from a doctored image.
Truth or Fiction · English · Nov 19, 2018
Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.