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
Thanks Mr Frog, I Owe You One!
It’s strange how seemingly insignificant incidents can have a profound effect on your life. Back in 2002, I was still pretty new to computers and the Internet.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 14, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Western Union ‘Too Many Login Attempts’ Phishing Scam
The email is not from Western Union. In fact, the message is a phishing scam designed to steal account login details and credit card information from Western Union customers.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 6, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Modelling Agency Overpayment Scam
The emails are not from a modelling agency. In fact, the messages are part of an overpayment scam designed to trick victims into “laundering” the proceeds of crime.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 21, 2011
- ✕Hoax
DHL Notification Malware Email
The emails are not from DHL. The attachments contain malware that, once installed, can connect to malicious websites, download additional malware components and steal personal information from the infected computer.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 12, 2011
- ✕Hoax
July 2011 – 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays
It is perfectly true that July 2011 has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. However, such a combination occurs far more often than every 823 years. The last occurrence was in July 2005 while the next occurrence will take place in July 2016.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 1, 2011
- ✕Hoax
AOL ‘Billing Update Must be Performed’ Phishing Scam
The message is not from AOL. In fact, the email is a phishing scam designed to trick recipients into providing personal and financial details to Internet criminals.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 22, 2011
- ✓CredibleVerified
The Fly in the Urinal – Schiphol Airport Toilet Aim Improvement Technique
The information in the message is true and the image is genuine. The fly in the urinal technique has indeed been used at Schiphol Airport and other locations. The idea has been around for a number of years.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 21, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Confusion Over Correct Name for the Medal of Honor
Back in 2008, I published an article about an email hoax that falsely claimed that “Brutus”, a military K9, was awarded the “Congressional Medal of Honor” for rescuing his handler and other soldiers who were taken hostage by insurgents in Iraq.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 19, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Amber Alert Hoax – Mitsubishi Eclipse With Plate Number 98B351
The claims in the message are false. The message is not a valid Amber Alert and there is no abduction case like the one described. The message is a long-running hoax and should not be forwarded or reposted.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 14, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Post Express ‘Incorrect Delivery Address’ Malware Emails
The email is not from Post Express or any legitimate postal delivery service. The claim that a package has been returned is untrue. The attachment does not contain a mailing label as claimed.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 9, 2011
- ✓CredibleVerified
2011 Date Oddity – Birth Year Plus Age Equals 111
This circulating message noted that if you add the last two digits of your birth year to the age that you were in the year 2011 you will come up with 111.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 25, 2011
- ✕Hoax
SOMA Virus Warning (Just a Joke)
Many readers might wonder why on Earth I would choose to add a report – however brief – about a Facebook post that is so obviously intended as a joke.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 24, 2011
- ✓CredibleVerified
Animal Mistreatment Protest Message – Firecracker Put In Dog’s Mouth
Unfortunately, the photograph is genuine. This terrible act of cruelty was carried out by two drunken teenagers in Bosnia. The teenagers put fireworks in the dog’s mouth and duct-taped it shut. The dog – named Vucko – had to be euthanized.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 10, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Facebook Grant Award Advance Fee Scam
The message is an advance fee scam. There is no prize. The “award notification website” is bogus and has no connection to Facebook. The scam is designed to trick people into sending money and personal information to Internet criminals.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 10, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Hoax Reports Claim Three Giant Spaceships Heading for Earth
The claims in the stories are utter nonsense. The SETI Institute has denied any knowledge of such an event and has certainly not released a report about the impending arrival of any alien spaceships.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 5, 2011
- ✕Hoax
Joke – Thanks for all the Educational Emails
The following clever little humour piece provides a telling look at the impact of all those emailed warnings that continue to circulate. The joke circulates via email and has also been posted on many websites, blogs and social networks.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 23, 2010
- ✕Hoax
Viber ‘Will Become Chargeable’ Hoax
Viber is not set to start charging users for sending messages. The message is just a new version of an old hoax. It is derived from a very similar hoax message that claimed that WhatsApp would start charging users who did not send the warning to others.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 21, 2010
- ✕Hoax
Facebook Account Update Phishing Scam Email
The email is not from Facebook. In fact, the message is a phishing scam designed to steal Facebook login details. This email, which purports to be from social networking website, Facebook, claims that Facebook is about to implement a new login system.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 12, 2010
- ✕Hoax
Facebook Change Profile Picture to Cartoon Character Paedophile Warning Hoax
The claims in the warning are false The suggestion that the “cartoon character” profile picture change campaign is a paedophile scheme is utter nonsense.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 6, 2010
- ✕Hoax
Inaccurate Warning about Fake $50 Australian Banknotes
The information in the message is false. Depending on their year of issue, some legitimate banknotes do not have a name under a portrait. Also depending on their year of issue, some legitimate banknotes may have signatures in different orders.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 3, 2010
Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.