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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.

1,732 fact-checks

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  1. ✕Hoax

    Hands of God Email

    This message, which features a picture apparently depicting the hands of God in the clouds, has been circulating since 2004. The original version of the message claimed that the photograph was taken after Hurricane Charley hit the US state of Florida in 2004.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Sep 12, 2004

  2. ✕Hoax

    Hands of God Email

    This message, which features a picture apparently depicting the hands of God in the clouds, has been circulating since 2004. The original version of the message claimed that the photograph was taken after Hurricane Charley hit the US state of Florida in 2004.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Sep 12, 2004

  3. ✕Hoax

    Carbon Monoxide Poisoning by Candle Email Warning

    This warning email claims that a person named “Charlene” died of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of burning candles in an air-conditioned room. Unfortunately, like most emails of this nature, it does not provide any checkable details.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Aug 25, 2004

  4. ✕Hoax

    McDonald’s Ball Pit Death Hoax

    This message is a hoax that has been circulating for more than a decade. There are no credible reports whatsoever that confirm that a child named Kevin Archer died after being pricked by a heroin filled hypodermic needle in a McDonald’s ball pit.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Aug 12, 2004

  5. ✕Hoax

    First Name Chain Letter

    These emails are just pointless, bandwidth wasting chain letters. They simply ask you to add your first name to the email before passing them on. Often, the messages claim to be a “survey” started by a teacher are part of an educational project.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 14, 2004

  6. ✕Hoax

    First Name Chain Letter

    These emails are just pointless, bandwidth wasting chain letters. They simply ask you to add your first name to the email before passing them on. Often, the messages claim to be a “survey” started by a teacher are part of an educational project.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 14, 2004

  7. ✕Hoax

    Rachel Arlington Charity Hoax

    The message is a hoax. AOL will not donate money just for forwarding an email. Any message that claims that money will be donated in exchange for forwarding an email is certain to be a hoax.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 12, 2004

  8. ✕Hoax

    Luck In Love Email Chain Letter

    This rather threatening chain letter warns of death for those who don’t pass it on and even provides example cases. Considering the number of times I’ve deleted this and similar email chain letters, I’m surprised I’m still kicking.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 20, 2003

  9. ✕Hoax

    Amazon Rainforest Email Petition

    This email asks recipients to “sign” and forward the message to help stop deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest The “project” mentioned in this email petition was shelved by the Brazilian government back in May 2000.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 13, 2003

  10. ✕Hoax

    Crying Baby Serial Killer Hoax

    The claims in the “warning” are untrue. It was not aired on Crime Stoppers or America’s Most Wanted as claimed in the message. In fact, the message is a long running hoax that first surfaced in 2003.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 12, 2003

  11. ✕Hoax

    British Airways Giveaway Hoax

    This old hoax message promises free air travel in exchange for forwarding emails. British Airways is NOT running any such media campaign. Nor has it ever done so.

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Sep 14, 2003

  12. ✕Hoax

    Nine Zero Hash Phone Scam Warnings are Misleading and Outdated

    The information in the message is false for the great majority of domestic fixed phone systems and all mobile phones. It can be true for certain types of business phone systems that are configured in a particular way. (Scroll down for details).

    Hoax-Slayer · English · Aug 22, 2003

  13. ✕Hoax

    ‘Negative Video About Your Site’ Scam Messages

    Scammers are targeting website owners via messages claiming that a negative video about their site is circulating. The messages claim that the video is going viral. They urge you to click a link to view the supposed video.

    Hoax-Slayer · English

  14. ✕Hoax

    Fake ‘Emergency’ Text Messages Targeting Australian Mobile Phone Users

    According to the ACCC’s ScamWatch website, Australian residents have been receiving text messages asking for emergency assistance. The text messages, which do not come from numbers on your contact list, request your help and ask you to call back immediately…

    Hoax-Slayer · English

  15. ✕Hoax

    No, The Simpsons Did NOT Predict President Trump's 'Glowing Orb' Scene 15 Years Ago

    Image © depositphotos/wollertz A message, which is currently circulating via social media, suggests that a 15-year-old episode of animated TV series ‘The Simpsons” predicted the now famous scene in which US President Trump laid hands on a “glowing orb” during…

    Hoax-Slayer · English

  16. ✕Hoax

    Pamela Anderson Targeted in Death Hoax – Pamela is NOT Dead

    According to a supposed news story that has been circulating via social media, actress and model Pamela Anderson has died. The report claims that Anderson collapsed in her bathroom at home and was admitted to hospital but later died after going into cardiac…

    Hoax-Slayer · English

  17. ✕Hoax

    ‘Private Investor Seeking Partnership’ Scam Email

    This email claims to be a person who has a lucrative investment fund proposal to discuss with you. Supposedly, the London based sender has a client in the United Arab Emirates who is seeking a partnership for strategic investment.

    Hoax-Slayer · English

  18. ✕Hoax

    No, a Call From 777888999 will NOT ‘Blast’ Your Phone – Hoax

    According to supposed warning messages that are currently circulating via WhatsApp and SMS, you should not take a mobile phone call from the number 777888999.

    Hoax-Slayer · English

  19. ✕Hoax

    Bogus Warning – 'Don't Use French Flag as Your Profile Picture Because ISIS Will Find You and Kill You'

    This message, which is circulating via social media, email, and SMS, warns you not to use the French flag overlay on your Facebook profile because, if you do so, terrorist group ISIS will find you and kill you and your family.

    Hoax-Slayer · English

  20. ✕Hoax

    October 2016 – 5 Mondays, 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays

    It is perfectly true that October 2016 has 5 Mondays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays. However, such a combination is not at all remarkable and occurs far more often than once every 823 years.

    Hoax-Slayer · English

Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.