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.
1,802 fact-checks
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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
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
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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
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
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
- ✓CredibleVerified
Dog Owner Alert Email – Xylitol Sweetener Toxic to Dogs
This long circulated message relates the story of a dachshund named Chloe who became severely ill after eating sugar-free gum that contained xylitol sweetener. The claim that xylitol can be toxic to dogs is certainly true.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 5, 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
- ✓CredibleVerified
Liquid Candy Laryngospasm Warning
True, but message could be misleading. I began receiving enquiries about this email forward in late May 2006. The message is a warning from a mother and relates the experience of a child who suffered a laryngospasm after swallowing a form of liquid candy.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jun 15, 2006
- ✓CredibleVerified
Mold in Pancake Mix Warning
This “Dear Abby” article was first published in various newspapers during April 2006 and is now circulating via email and online. Although the experience of the 14-year-old child described in the message has not been verified, the core information is factual.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 19, 2006
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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
- ✓CredibleVerified
Cadbury Chocolate Egg Recall in Canada
In early March 2006, warning messages about a recall of certain Cadbury chocolate products in Canada began circulating via email and online outlets.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Mar 24, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Spirit Airlines Flight Giveaway Hoax
This forwarded email message began circulating in December 2005 and claims that Spirit Airlines is giving away free air travel to those who forward the message to at least five people. However, the claim is totally unfounded.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 18, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Use Left Ear For Mobile Phone Warning
The claims in the message remain unsubstantiated. While there are genuine concerns about possible health risks related to mobile phone use, there is no evidence to suggest that using the left ear will in any way decrease such risks.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Jan 6, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Eye Of God Image – Hubble Telescope Email
The image is genuine, but the description includes false information. The image included in this email forward does indeed represent a real celestial object. However, the description that arrives with the image is inaccurate.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Dec 13, 2005
- ✕Hoax
Cell Phone Charging Danger Warning Email
This may be possible if the equipment is faulty, but the warning highly exaggerates the risk of such injuries under normal working conditions. Versions of this warning email have now been circulating for several years.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Sep 9, 2005
Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.