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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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Half Human – Half Pig: Weird Photo of Suckling Mother and Babies
The photograph is of an artist’s sculpture and is not an image of real creatures. This rather intriguing photograph is currently circulating via email.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 17, 2005
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Are Email Petitions Useful?
If you have been using email for any length of time, at some point you have probably received an email in the form of a petition. The message requests you to “sign” the petition by adding your name before sending it on to others in your address book.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 10, 2005
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Charity Funds Advance Fee Scams
Advance fee scammers often claim that they need your assistance in distributing a large sum of money to charities. They often pretend to be devout Christians intent on doing good work before they die.
Hoax-Slayer · English · May 5, 2005
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Prime Minister Howard – Muslims Out Of Australia
Contains elements of truth, but is highly misleading and inaccurate Update: 2009 In early 2009, an altered version of the message falsely claimed that it was then Australia’s Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd who made the comments.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Apr 27, 2005
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How to spot an Email Hoax – Guide to Recognizing Hoaxes
Spotting an email hoax may be easier than you think! There are thousands of email hoaxes moving around the Internet at any given time. These email hoaxes cover a range of subject matter, including: Supposedly free giveaways in exchange for forwarding emails.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 26, 2005
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Plastics Cancer Link Email – Freezing Plastic Bottles – Plastics In the Microwave or Car
This long-circulated email claims that freezing water or microwaving food in plastic containers or plastic wrap can lead to the consumption of cancer-causing chemicals. An earlier variant of the message referred only to the freezing of plastic water bottles.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Feb 1, 2005
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Serena Williams Interview Hoax
This hoax message claims that tennis star, Serena Williams, has made outrageous comments about her dating preferences in an interview. The bogus interview transcript claims that Ms Williams prefers to date white men rather than black men.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 22, 2004
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Don't Flash your Lights? Gang Initiation Myth Hits London
Some London residents have become the latest to be caught out by an aging urban legend that claims drivers are in danger from gang members participating in a violent initiation ritual.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Nov 22, 2004
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HIV Infected Blood in the Ketchup Hoax
Like many other hoax messages, this email forward warns of a sickening and unusual danger lurking among the commonplace items and places of our daily lives. In this case, the supposed danger is HIV infected blood mixed with ketchup in a fast food outlet.
Hoax-Slayer · English · Oct 1, 2004
Entries are collected from public fact-checking sites and link back to the original article.