Current Netlore: A to Z Index, cont.
>Internet hoaxes, email rumors and urban legends
| Hoax = False, deliberately deceptive information UL = Urban Legend - a popularly believed narrative, typically false Rumor = Anecdotal claims - may be true, false, or in between Junk = Flotsam and jetsam of the Net |
# - B | C - G | H - K | L - P | R - Z
Halloween Terror Attacks on Malls 10/31
2001 email rumor warns that shopping malls in the U.S. may be subject to terrorist attacks on Halloween.
Halloween Warning: Candy-Flavored Meth
Circulating via email, a "Halloween Warning" urges parents to instruct their children to beware of a new form of crystal meth that looks and smells like strawberry Pop Rocks candy and comes in other flavors such as chocolate, peanut butter, and cola.
'Hand of Hope' Fetal Surgery Photo
TRUE: Emailed photo shows the hand of a 21-week-old fetus, Samuel Alexander Armas, grasping the finger of a surgeon performing a prenatal operation.
Hand-Feeding Hummingbirds (Photos)
Emailed images show several hummingbirds calmly feeding from a woman's outstretched hand.
Hand Sanitizer Hazardous to Children
Forwarded email cites danger of children licking or eating hand sanitizer, which contains a high percentage of alcohol and can cause accidental intoxication or alcohol poisoning.
Handgun Tax - Senate Bill S. 2099
The premise here is that a secret "backdoor bill" in Congress will require listing every gun you own on your federal income tax forms.
The Hands of God (Hurricane Charley Photo)
Emailed image purports to show the 'hands of God' in a cloud formation associated with 2004's Hurricane Charley.
'Hanoi Jane' Fonda
Allegations about Fonda's activities as an anti-war activist are partly fact and partly fiction.
Harry Potter Turns Kids to Satanism
Chain letter contains alleged quotes from 10-year-olds who say they hate Jesus and love Satan.
Harvey Milk Day
Forwarded email urges California residents to call the governor and voice their objections to AB 2567, a bill designating May 22 as Harvey Milk Day to commemorate the San Francisco Supervisor slain in 1978.
Headlight Flashing 'Gang Initiation Rite'
Urban legend from the early '90s re-emerges as a frightening email alert.
Hercules the Liger (Photos)
Emailed photos of a 10-foot 'liger' (a cross between a lion and a tiger) named Hercules.
Hercules, World's Biggest Dog (Photo)
Emailed image of a gargantuan dog named Hercules, purportedly the Guinness Record holder for World's Biggest Dog.
Herman the Giant Bunny Rabbit (Photo)
Emailed image of a very large 'German Giant' rabbit named Herman, held by his owner, Hans Wagner.
Heroin Needle Kills Child in McDonald's Ball Pit
The "Kevin Archer" story, curiously similar to 1998's tall tale about snakes in a Burger King ball pit.
Hershey Boycott
Email fliers urge boycott of Hershey Co., which has lately announced worker layoffs in U.S. plants while outsourcing jobs to new facilities in Mexico.
Highest Bridge in the World
Emailed image of the world's highest bridge, the Millau Viaduct in southern France.
Hillary Clinton and the Black Panthers
This email alleges that Hillary Clinton was a "defender" of murderers in the Black Panther Party 30 years ago.
Hillary Clinton 'Marxist' Quotes
Circulating via email, a set of quotes attributed to Senator Hillary Clinton purportedly demonstrates her Marxist leanings.
Hillary Clinton Snubs the Gold Star Mothers
Did Senator Hillary Clinton refuse to meet with the American Gold Star Mothers when they visited Washington, D.C. on a lobbying junket in February 2001?
Hillary vs. Arnold
Did Hillary Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger exchange insulting witticisms during a chance encounter at a party?
Hillbilly Wedding Pictures
Circulating via email: photos purporting to show a hillbilly wedding taking place in a trailer park, including wedding cake made entirely of Twinkies and Hostess Cupcakes.
'Hit Man' Scam Email
Spam message purportedly sent by a hit man hired to 'terminate' the recipient demands a large sum of money in return for not carrying out the mission.
HIV Needles on Gas Pumps
More needle-stick incidents, this time centered in Jacksonville, Florida.
HIV Needles in Movie Theater Seats
"Welcome to the world of AIDS." The latest round of needle-stick incidents.
HIV Needles in Pay Phone Coin Slots
Are drug addicts everywhere trying to kill us all with their dirty syringes?
HIV Needles in Vending Machines - Canada
Is a bizarre cult in western Canada booby-trapping the coin slots of Coke machines with HIV-tainted needles?
Holiday Mail for U.S. Troops
A message posted around the Web and circulating via forwarded email asks for holiday mail and packages to be sent directly to U.S. troops.
Holocaust Memorial Chain Letter
Email chain letter urges remembrance of the Holocaust, claiming the U.K. has removed all mention of the event from its school curriculum for fear of offending Muslims.
'Home Computer' as Imagined by RAND Corporation in 1954
Emailed image allegedly taken from a 1954 issue of Popular Mechanics shows the RAND Corporation's conception of what a home computer would look like in 2004.
Honda Car Giveaway
Find out right here how to get a brand spanking new Honda Civic just for forwarding a chain letter.
Hotel Key Cards - Identity Theft
False email rumor claims hotel key cards are routinely encoded with customers' personal information, resulting in identity theft by employees.
Hotmail 'My Account Is Active' Hoax
Just a new version of 1999's "Hotmail Overload" hoax, in technicolor.
Hotmail Overload
Hotmail users who do not forward this chain letter are in danger of losing their accounts.
How to Avoid Speeding Ticket Penalties
Email touts a too-good-to-be-true scheme for preventing points from being assessed against your driving record.
How to Detect a Two-Way Mirror
Is there a simple way to tell whether or not that mirror in the public restroom is real?
Howard Dean on Middle East Policy
Email flier accuses Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean of backing away from U.S. support for Israel by calling for an 'even-handed' approach to the Middle East conflict and labeling Hamas terrorists "soldiers."
Hugh Downs: Obama Will Lose
Circulating online, an op-ed piece falsely attributed to Hugh Downs predicts Barack Obama will lose the 2008 presidential election because he is a "flake."
Human Statue of Liberty (Photo)
Circulating via email, a vintage 1918 photograph by Mole & Thomas captures an aerial view of 18,000 enlisted men and officers forming a "Human Statue of Liberty."
Humpback Whale Rescued by Divers
Forwarded email recounts the true story of the rescue of a female humpback whale trapped in a web of crab lines in the Pacific Ocean near the Farallon Islands.
Hurricane Isabel Photo
Emailed photo purports to show the approach of Hurricane Isabel at sea, September 2003.
Hurricane Katrina Pictures
Emailed images purport to show Hurricane Katrina approaching the Gulf Coast in August 2005.
Hurricane Katrina Evacuees in Utah
Email rumor accuses Hurricane Katrina evacuees sheltered in Utah of carrying weapons, using drugs, refusing jobs, living in filth and generally "behaving like animals."
Hurricane Lili Waterspouts (Photo)
Eerie, dramatic photo circulating by email purports to show three massive waterspouts threatening a supply ship at sea as 2002's Hurricane Lili advanced toward the Louisiana coast.
Hydrogen Beer Explosion
Japanese man suffers serious burns while belching blue fire in karaoke bar!
I Am a Bad American
Email rant on behalf of political incorrectness is falsely attributed to comedian George Carlin and other celebrities.
'I Buy Strays' Website
Ibuystrays.com purports to offer cash for unwanted pets to be resold to companies engaged in animal experimentation.
IBM Computer Giveaway
Latest entry in the "email tracking" hall of fame.
'If You Believe in God' Chain Letter
2001 chain letter newly revived: "I made this bet that I could find 300 people who believe in God before my friend could find 300 people who do not."
'In Case of Emergency' (ICE) Campaign
Email flier touts a new personal safety campaign called 'ICE,' or 'In Case of Emergency,' consisting of storing a special emergency contact number in your mobile phone.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Forwarded email warns female recipients to be on the watch for a form of breast cancer known as IBC, or inflammatory breast cancer.
Insulting Epitaph (Photo)
Can you find the hidden, insulting message in this epitaph inscribed on a tombstone located in a Montreal cemetery?
Internet Cleaning Day
It's time for the annual Internet shutdown for cleaning and maintenance!
IPods and Lightning Strikes
Is it true that wearing an iPod during a thunderstorm increases one's chances of being struck by lightning?
IQ and Voter Preference in 2004 Presidential Election
In which the results of the 2004 U.S. presidential election are correlated with purported average IQ of voters in each state.
Iron Your Mail to Prevent Anthrax?
That's what a renowned bioterrorism expert suggests, believe it or not.
IRS 'E-Audit' Scam Warning
Erroneous alert warns of a supposed tax scam being conducted by email.
IRS Tax Refund Phishing Scam
Fraudulent emails purporting to originate from the IRS aim to trick users into revealing personal information.
Israel Omitted from Fuji Co. Maps
World maps supposedly distributed by the Fujifilm Company allegedly omit the state of Israel. This forwarded email alert calls for a boycott.
iWon.com Chain Letter
Forward this message and make big bucks!!!
Jada Cohen Chain Letter
Here's the logical question: Why would a billionaire use a chain letter to help save a dying child?
Jaleel White ('Steve Urkel') Is Dead!
Bogus news story circulating via email claims actor Jaleel White, who played Steve Urkel on the TV show 'Family Matters,' is dead by suicide.
Jamie Foxx: NBC Refuses to Publicize TV Special
Email rumor claims NBC refused to promote Jamie Foxx's January 25, 2006 TV special, 'Unpredictable,' because no white entertainers were invited to guest star on the show.
Jane Fonda: 'Do You Know Who I Am?'
A story circulating since the mid-1990s claims Jane Fonda and Ted Turner were kicked out of a Montana restaurant by its owner, a Vietnam veteran.
Janet Reno Defines 'Cultist'
This utterly bogus quote attributed to Janet Reno several years ago is still circulating.
Japanese Fashion Craze: Fake See-Thru Skirts
In which we are asked to believe that Japanese women are wearing skirts imprinted on the outside with trompe l'oeil panties.
Jasmine, Child of WTC Victim (Chain Letter)
In which we are told that the Red Cross will donate 10 cents toward saving Jasmine's mother's life every time this chain letter is forwarded. Sound familiar?
Jay Leno Hits the Nail on the Head
Article attributed to Tonight Show host Jay Leno labels the majority of Americans 'ungrateful, spoiled brats' for saying they're unhappy with the current direction of the country.
'Jedi Religion' Census Campaign
An email now circulating in Australia and England claims that if enough people enter "Jedi" as their religion on census forms, it will become an officially recognized faith.
Jelly Bracelets - An Invitation to Sex?
It is widely believed - apparently more so by adults than by the teenagers themselves - that the 'jelly bracelets' so popular among junior high school students nowadays are color-coded according to the wearer's willingness to perform certain sex acts.
Jennifer Aniston Email
The truth about a set of photos (sorry, not posted here) taken at the christening of Courteney Cox Arquette's baby, allegedly emailed by Jennifer Aniston.
Jessica Cortez: Missing Child
OUTDATED: Four-year-old Jessica Cortez, reported missing on August 11, 2002, is back, safe and sound, with her parents.
Jessica Koopmans: Missing Child
OUTDATED: This email alert was valid, but the child's body was discovered on May 11, 2001. Police say she was murdered.
The Jessica Mydek Chain Letter
Jessica Mydek, a 7-year-old girl supposedly dying of cancer, does not exist, nor will the American Cancer Society contribute money for every time this chain letter is forwarded.
Jet Aircraft Breaking the Sound Barrier (Photos)
Emailed images capture the formation of condensation clouds around jet aircraft flying near the speed of sound.
Jewel Strong: Missing Child
Email flier seeks help locating Jewel Strong, a 3-year-old girl reported missing by her family in Panama City, Florida in May 2006.
Joe Biden's Character
A widely-forwarded email written by Maryland accountant Bruce D. Riddle calls vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden a 'liar and a cheat' and a 'man of bad character' for failing to pay for services rendered to his political campaigns.
Joe Biden to Quit Campaign in 'October Surprise'
Internet rumor predicts Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden will "excuse himself" from the ticket for health reasons and be replaced by Hillary Clinton.
Joe Lieberman: Open Letter to the French
Did Senator Joe Lieberman pen an open letter excoriating the French people for being soft on anti-Semitism?
Joe William Sheffield Prayer Request
TRUE: By dialing an 800 number set up by the First Baptist Church of Tifton, GA, you can send a 'prayer beeper' message to 9-year-old cancer victim Joe William Sheffield and let him know you're praying for his recovery.
John Brady Kiesling's Letter of Resignation to Colin Powell
Circulating by email: Text of U.S. diplomat John Brady Kiesling's letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin Powell over the Bush administration's "fervent pursuit of war with Iraq."
John Edwards to Blame for Flu Vaccine Shortage
Email flier blames 2004 shortage of flu vaccine in the U.S. on "frivolous litigation" by vice-presidential candidate and former trial lawyer John Edwards.
John Edwards, My Neighbor
Message purportedly written by a neighbor of Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards says the politician is aloof, pretentious and disliked by fellow residents of Raleigh, North Carolina.
John Glenn vs. Howard Metzenbaum
Responding to a remark allegedly made by opponent Howard Metzenbaum to the effect that he had 'never held a job,' Ohio Senatorial candidate John Glenn lashes back by citing 23 years service to his country in the Marine Corps.
John Hancock Lesbian-Friendly Olympics Commercial
Yes, the TV ad described in this email will run during the Olympics - but its controversial content has already been toned down in re-editing.
John Kerry's Comments at Reagan Funeral
Did presidential candidate John Kerry, speaking at Ronald Reagan's funeral, call for Democrats to 'confirm the demise of the man who is solely responsible for turning the American people away from liberal philosophy'?
John Kerry Criticized by Swift Boat Veterans
Circulating via email: critical comments about Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry by former military personnel.
John Kerry 'Didn't Have Time' for Briefing on al Qaeda
Email flier claims presidential candidate John Kerry told interviewer Larry King he "hasn't had time" to be briefed by the Bush administration on possible al Qaeda attacks.
John Kerry's Favorite Bible Verse: John 16:3
Like President G.W. Bush and Vice-President Al Gore before him, John Kerry stands falsely accused of declaring his favorite Bible verse to be John 16:3 ("And they will do this because they have not known the Father nor Me").
John Kerry's 'Foreign Enterprises' (Heinz Outsourcing)
Email flier claims presidential candidate John Kerry, who has decried the outsourcing of U.S. jobs to foreign countries, owns overseas factories by virtue of his marriage to heiress Teresa Heinz Kerry.
John Kerry's 'Front Porch Meeting' in Canonsburg, PA
Email flier purports to expose the 'truth' behind presidential candidate John Kerry's 'front porch meeting' in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on September 6, 2004.
John Kerry's Many Homes
Email flier (with photos) purports to enumerate the personal property holdings of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
John Kerry Meets Satanist Anton LaVey
'Newspaper clipping' circulating on the Internet purports to show a youthful John Kerry shaking hands with Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey.
John Kerry's War Record
Forwarded email criticizes Senator John Kerry's record as a Vietnam War hero/dissident.
John Kerry w/Jane Fonda
Image making the email rounds purports to be an Associated Press photo showing John Kerry standing at a podium beside Jane Fonda as she delivers a speech at a 1970s peace rally.
John McCain on the Pledge of Allegiance
Circulating via email: A text attributed to Senator John McCain on the meaning and importance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
John McCain's Sons
Forwarded email states that three of Republican presidential candidate John McCain's sons are in the military, and one, Jimmy McCain, served as a Marine infantryman in Iraq.
Johnnie Cochran's Headstone
Circulating via email: a photo purporting to show the headstone of famed lawyer Johnnie Cochran. The inscription reads: "O.J. DID IT."
Jokerkid613/Ja$on MoNeY State Police Warning
"If a person with the screen name of jokerkid613/Ja$on MoNeY contacts you, do not reply. DO not talk to this person; do not answer any of his/her instant messages or email..."
Judge Forbids Black Mothers from Naming Own Children
Emailed "news item" claims a U.S. federal judge has ruled that due to the proliferation of "ridiculous names," poverty-stricken black women no longer have the right to christen their own children.
Judge Roy Moore: 'America the Beautiful'
Circulating via forwarded email: 'America the Beautiful,' a caustic poem attributed to Judge Roy Moore of Alabama.
Julie Andrews: 'My Favorite Things' (AARP Version)
Parody of the song 'My Favorite Things' targeted to elderly people was allegedly sung by Julie Andrews at an AARP benefit on the singer's 69th birthday in October 2004.
Jury Duty Scam
Forwarded email alert warns of a new identity theft scam wherein potential victims are falsely notified that they have failed to appear for jury duty and asked to supply personal info for verification.
Just the Pants!
It was their first date... and, inevitably, their last.
Kalin Relek Chain Letter
Katie Relek says her son is dying. Problem is, as far as we can tell she doesn't exist and neither does he.
Kanye West Fired by Pepsi After Bush Comment
Email flier alleges that Pepsi-Cola fired rapper Kanye West as its spokesperson after he publicly declared that "George Bush doesn't care about black people."
Katie Fitch Prayer Chain
Prayer chain letter circulating via email tells the story of 3-year-old Katie Fitch of South Carolina, who suffers from hepatoblastoma, a form of liver cancer.
Kayla Wightman Chain Letter
Hoax email claims the Make-A-Wish Foundation will donate 7 cents toward paying the medical bills of Kayla Wightman, supposedly a 15-year-old dying of lung cancer, each time the message is forwarded.
Keith Urban Throws Canadian Fans Out of Concert
Email rumor claims Australian country singer Keith Urban asked Canadian fans to leave one of his performances because their country hasn't participated in the Iraq war effort.
Kelsey Brooke Jones: Missing Child
The latest word is that this apparent hoax may have been a valid alert after all. Briefly.
Ketchup Tainted with HIV-Positive Blood
Email flier warns fast food consumers to use only ketchup from sealed packets because a man was supposedly caught placing HIV-tainted blood in a ketchup dispenser.
KFC Uses Mutant Chickens
Ever wonder why it's not called Kentucky Fried Chicken anymore?
Kidney Thieves in New Orleans
The venerable organ snatching legend erupts again in 1996.
Kidney Thieves in Las Vegas & New Orleans
A 1997 variant. This hysterical warning is a hodgepodge of various mutations of the legend cut-and-pasted together.
Kidney Thieves in Austin
This 1997 variant is a hodgepodge of various mutations of the legend cut-and-pasted together and attributed to The Daily Texan.
KKK Endorses Barack Obama
Emailed "news item" dated Feb. 7, 2008 claims the Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan has endorsed Barack Obama for the presidency.
The Klingerman Virus
Not your ordinary bogus virus alert. This one's about a (supposedly) real, live bug that is fatal to human beings!
Krystava Patients Schmidt: Missing Child
A message still circulating more than a year after the fact pleads for help finding a missing child, but the youngster has been safe and sound all this time.
