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.
8,224 fact-checks
Clear filters ×- ✕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
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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
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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
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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
- ✕Hoax
Ifyoubelieve
A number of different chain letters have been distributed across the internet, asking people to say if they believed in God. The chain letter is a waste of time and bandwidth, and often include the email address of an innocent party.
Sophos · English · Mar 14, 2006
- ✕Hoax
Lipstick
The following chain letter has been widely distributed across the internet. Cancer Research UK has confirmed that it is not true. Users should simply delete the email, and not forward it onto their friends and colleagues.
Sophos · English · Mar 8, 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
AmyBruce
This chain letter has been spread around the internet since the late 1990s. The email is false, and the Make-A-Wish foundation has a longstanding policy of not participating in chain letter campaigns.
Sophos · English · Jan 10, 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
Champagnelovers
This chain letter has been spread across the internet. Of course, it is not true. The text of the chain letter reads as follows: FW: Champers Hello all Champagne lovers!
Sophos · English · Oct 27, 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
- ✕Hoax
GiantMars
The following chain letter has distributed across the internet since 2003, and regularly resurfaces towards the end of the month of August.
Sophos · English · Aug 31, 2005
Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.