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.
1,773 fact-checks
Clear filters ×- ✕Hoax
Giant Skeleton Hoax
This classic leg-pull has now been circulating via email, blogs and forums for several years and has even been published by some news outlets as factual.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Aug 14, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Heartattacksandwarmwater
The following chain letter has been distributed via email, and claims to offer advice about avoiding heart attacks. The email says that if it is forwarded to at least 10 people it will help save at least one life.
Sophos · English · Jul 20, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Olive Garden Syphilis Hoax
Email claims that a girl developed Syphilis in her mouth after eating semen-contaminated food at an Olive Garden restaurant in West Des Moines, Iowa. Subject: Fw: This is really gross!!!
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jul 20, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Olive Garden Syphilis Hoax
This email forward tell the sickening tale of a woman who developed Syphilis in her mouth after eating food that had been deliberately contaminated with “three different types of semen”.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jul 20, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Heroin Needles and Snakes in Ball Pits – HIV Needles on Gas-Pump Handles
This email forward combines three widely circulated messages into one. Firstly, it claims that a child died of a heroin overdose after being pricked by a heroin filled hypodermic needle in a McDonald’s ball pit.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jul 5, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Angelsexist
The following chain letter has been distributed across the internet, asking users to forward it on to at least four other people. A typical example of the chain email reads as follows: Hey... Please put the exact time you read this. It is mystical--honest.
Sophos · English · Jun 18, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Gasprices
This chain letter urges people to boycott gasoline companies in an attempt to force the companies to reduce the price. The email urges recipients to forward the message to 30 other internet users.
Sophos · English · Jun 5, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Misleading and Inaccurate – Strawberry Quick Methamphetamine Warning
While these warnings contain some elements of truth, they are also highly exaggerated and inaccurate. The claims in these misleading messages should not be taken seriously.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 16, 2007
- ✕Hoax
IrishFriendshipWish
The following chain letter has been distributed across the internet. It is obviously nonsense, and its advice to forward the message onto friends is only likely to clog up email inboxes rather than grant wishes.
Sophos · English · Feb 28, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Townsville Flood Photograph Hoax
This image, which is circulating via email, supposedly shows severe tidal flooding along a seaside street in the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 16, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Illegalalienchainletter
The following chain letter began to be distributed across the internet in early 2007, asking people to sign a petition. Petitions distributed via internet email reveal individual’s personal details, and are unlikely to carry weight with the authorities.
Sophos · English · Feb 12, 2007
- ✕Hoax
DearMuslim
The following chain letter has been forwarded across the internet. Subject: DEAR MUSLIM - AND PASS IT ON IF YOU WISH! This is the most profound, most insightful message to Muslims I've seen I think it should be read on Fox, sent to the President, and…
Sophos · English · Jan 22, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Hitman Payoff Scam Email
The messages are not from a hitman and are simply an attempt to extort money by scaring recipients into sending money to Internet scammers. If you receive such a message, do not reply. Do not send any money or personal information.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 18, 2007
- ✕Hoax
Helpburnedbaby
This chain letter, which often includes a picture of a badly burnt baby, claims that simply by forwarding the message to others, an injured baby’s parents will receive three cents to pay for treatment.
Sophos · English · Dec 7, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Dropped $5 Bill Serial Killer Warning Message
This email forward warns that a serial killer may be abducting his female victims by pretending to return a dropped five dollar note.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 6, 2006
- ✕Hoax
ATM Fraud Warning – XRAY Film Card Slot Trap
A warning about ATM theft formatted as a Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow is currently circulating via email and online. The type of ATM theft shown in the presentation is real.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 4, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Mr Clean Magic Erasers Contain Formaldehyde Hoax
This emailed warning claims that Mr Clean Magic Erasers contain formaldehyde and are potentially dangerous to users, especially children.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jul 21, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Mold in Pancake Mix Warning
Message warns that mold in old pancake mix can cause serious health problems and claims that a person died after eating mold-contaminated pancakes. IMPORTANT FYI. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS. ESPECIALLY ALL YOU PANCAKE LOVERS. THANKS.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 19, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Cruise Control Hydroplane Warning
The message contains some valid information, but is nevertheless misleading and alarmist. Using cruise control in wet conditions certainly can be dangerous but it will NOT cause your vehicle to speed up and fly through the air.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 3, 2006
- ✕Hoax
AIDS From Contaminated Take Away Food Warning
The claims in the message are untrue. There are no credible reports that support the claims and it is exceptionally unlikely that HIV could be transmitted in the way described in the messages.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Apr 7, 2006
Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.