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
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Hoax – June 2012 – 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays
The claims in the message are utter nonsense. Firstly, the calendar included in the message is not for June 2012, or any other June. The month of June has 30 days, not 31.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 12, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Can Birds Die From Eating Discarded Gum?
Although the claims in the message cannot be conclusively dismissed as false, the warning remains unsubstantiated and in all likelihood greatly exaggerates the potential danger.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 12, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Paypal ‘You Sent a Payment’ Malware Emails
The emails are not from Paypal and the claim that a payment has been sent from the recipient’s account is a lie. Links in the emails open compromised websites that harbour information-stealing malware.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 30, 2012
- ✕Hoax
American Express ‘Verify User ID’ Malware Email
The email is not from American Express. The message is designed to trick recipients into clicking a link in the mistaken belief that someone has tried to access their American Express account. The link opens a website that harbours malware.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 21, 2012
- ✓CredibleVerified
Viral Video Depicts Fatal Smash Between SUV and Truck
The video is genuine. The accident took place on February 24, 2012 near the village of Omutischi Petushki in Russia’s Vladimir Region. The driver of the SUV was killed.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Apr 11, 2012
- ✕Hoax
‘Daddy it Hurts’ Anti-Child Abuse Chain Letter
The message is misleading. The pictured child was not a victim of child abuse. Her injuries were the result of a dog attack that took place in September 2002. And her name is Jade, not Chris.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Apr 3, 2012
- ✕Hoax
eBay ‘Please Confirm Your Identity’ Phishing Scam
The email is not from eBay. The message is designed to trick eBay users into divulging their account login details to Internet criminals.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 26, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Misleading Protest Message Decries ‘Ban’ on Help For Heroes Armbands
The message is misleading, and fundamentally misrepresents the school’s policy. In fact, the wearing of jewellery of any sort – including armbands – has always been against the school’s rules, but the school has decided to relax the rule and ALLOW the wearing…
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 20, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Circus Cruelty to Animals Protest Message – Baby Elephant Photograph
The continued use of animals in circus acts is certainly controversial and the often cruel treatment of circus animals has – quite rightly – been the subject of ongoing condemnation by animal protection groups around the world.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 7, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Hoax – Facebook Will Pay One Dollar Per Like to Help Baby With a Face Cancer
The message is a vile hoax. Facebook will certainly not donate money to help the pictured child in exchange for liking. Any message that makes such a claim is certain to be a hoax.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 22, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Hoax – Indian Woman Gives Birth to Eleven Babies at Once
The claims in the message are false. One woman did not give birth to all eleven babies as claimed. The picture depicts eleven babies from different mothers born on the “unique date” 11/11/11 in Surat, India.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 8, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Caged Pigs Protest Message
The photograph is genuine but the description is inaccurate. The photograph was taken not in the United States, but in China several years ago. Moreover, the pigs have been placed in cages not to fatten them, but to transport them to market.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 3, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Caged Pigs Protest Message
The photograph is genuine but the description is inaccurate. The photograph was taken not in the United States, but in China several years ago. Moreover, the pigs have been placed in cages not to fatten them, but to transport them to market.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 3, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Facebook Survey Scam – Free Tim Hortons Voucher
A message appearing on Facebook claims that users can receive a free Tim Hortons voucher valued at $100 by clicking a link in the post. The message is not an official Tim Hortons promotion. The message is a typical survey scam.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 19, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Advance Fee Scam – ‘You Are on the FBI Wanted Persons List’
The message is not from the FBI and the recipient will not be arrested if he or she does not reply. The message is an advance fee scam designed to trick recipients into sending money and personal information to cybercriminals.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 16, 2012
- ✕Hoax
WhatsApp ‘Logo Will Turn Blue’ Hoax
The message is a hoax and should not be reposted. WhatsApp has not announced any plans to start charging users to send messages. The message is just one more incarnation in a long line of absurd hoaxes that have falsely claimed that a particular company or…
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 15, 2012
- ✕Hoax
Bogus Amazon Shipping Confirmation Emails Point To Malware
The emails are not from Amazon.com. Links in the email open websites that harbour malware that can exploit security flaws on unpatched Windows computers.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 30, 2011
- ✓CredibleVerified
TRUE – Chicken Jerky Dog Treats Warning
According to various warnings which have circulated via social media for a number of years, dogs have died after eating chicken jerky products exported from China. These warnings should be taken seriously.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 29, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Facebook Account Reported Phishing Scam
The message is not from Facebook. It is a phishing scam designed to steal the user’s Facebook and webmail login details as well as credit card numbers and other personal details. If you receive this message, do not click any links that it contains.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 23, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Facebook ‘Hackers’ Do Not Have Supernatural Abilities
Just about every week, it seems, a new, breathless ALL CAPS virus or hacker ‘warning’ begins rocketing around Facebook. Generally, these messages are just so vague, misleading and inaccurate that they are virtually worthless as security warnings and should…
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 14, 2011
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