Current Netlore: Companies and Products
Internet hoaxes, email rumors and urban legends
'I Buy Strays' Website
Ibuystrays.com purports to offer cash for unwanted pets to be resold to companies engaged in animal experimentation.
Intel/AOL Merger Giveaway
Just forward this message, sit back, and wait for your check to arrive! And wait. And wait. And wait.
IPods and Lightning Strikes
Is it true that wearing an iPod during a thunderstorm increases one's chances of being struck by lightning?
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.
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.
KFC Uses Mutant Chickens
Ever wonder why it's not called Kentucky Fried Chicken anymore?
Law Firm Memo on Replacing Murdered Secretary
Callous memo stipulating schedule changes after an employee's murder turns out to be a prank.
Lead in Lipstick
Email flier claims name-brand lipsticks contain 'cancer-causing' lead and that consumers can test for its presence in products by scratching them with a 24K gold ring.
Listerine as Mosquito Repellent
Forwarded email claims spraying an outside area with Listerine mouthwash repels and/or kills every mosquito in the vicinity.
ManBeef.com - 'Human Meat' for Sale
Calling all cannibals! Here's an e-commerce site just for you!
Marines Refused Service by Shell Gas Station Attendant
Email describes alleged rude treatment of U.S. Marines by Arab owners of a Shell gas station in Gun Barrel City, Texas.
Marks & Spencer Voucher Giveaway
Chain letter claims recipients will receive a free gift voucher from Marks & Spencer and Persimmon Homes if they pass the message along to at least eight other people.
McDonald's Donations to Palestinians Injured in Uprising
A good example of what happens when a grain of truth is fed into the rumor mill in the midst of political discord.
McDonald's 'Free Premium Salad' Email Offer
"Free Salad" coupon circulating as an email attachment is bogus, according to the McDonald's Corporation.
Mentos + Coca-Cola = Death
Email rumor claims two boys in Brazil died after eating Mentos and drinking Coca-Cola at the same time.
Microsoft Xbox Giveaway
Email promises a free Xbox gaming console to 'lucky winners' in a 'promotional competition' supposedly affiliated with Microsoft. The latter denies any knowledge of it.
Microwave Ovens, Plastic Wrap and Dioxin
Does microwaving foods in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap expose consumers to deadly cancer-causing chemicals?
MONDEX: The Mark of the Beast
Emailed slide show claims that microchips used in Mondex 'smart cards' are being implanted in people's hands or foreheads and constitute the 'mark of the beast' prophesied in the Biblical Book of Revelation.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Causes Chemical Burn
Forwarded email describes 'chemical burns' sustained by a 5-year-old child when he scrubbed his own skin with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Contains Formaldehyde
Forwarded email claims that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser cleaning pads pose a health hazard because they contain formaldehyde.
MSN Messenger Petition
Is MSN planning to start charging for instant messages? Can you stop them by circulating this chain letter? No and no.
Munich Parking Garage (Photos)
Emailed images purportedly show a space-age automated parking garage constructed in a circular tower in Munich, Germany.
Neiman Marcus (Mrs. Fields) Cookie Recipe
Posh department store charges $250 for a cookie recipe; victim gets even by sharing it with the world. All the ingredients of a legend!
Nike: 'Sweatshop' Not Allowed on Personalized Shoes
Nike has confirmed that this email exchange between the company and a customer with an agenda really occurred.
Nike Terrorism Ad
A phony Nike ad showing a bloody sneaker lying intact on the pavement after a terrorist attack bears the slogan, "You may not survive the blast, but your shoes will."
'No Fear' Bumper Stickers Are Racist
Email rumor charges that the stickers promote David Duke's National Organization for European American Rights.
Oscar Mayer Refuses to Send Hot Dogs to Marines
Forwarded email urges "patriots" to boycott Oscar Mayer hot dogs because the company allegedly refused to ship its products to U.S. Marines stationed in Iraq.
Pep Boys Firing All Military Employees
Email rumor falsely claims that Pep Boys, the national auto parts chain based in Philadelphia, is summarily firing all reservist and National Guard employees called up for active duty in the Iraq war.
Pepsi Fired Kanye West as Spokesperson 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."
Pepsi Omits 'Under God' in Patriotic Can Promotion
A false and even more pointless variant of the Dr Pepper protest.
Personal Computer in a Pen
Emailed images purport to show a 'computer of the future,' a full-featured PC comprising five slender objects the size and shape of ball-point pens.
Petition Against Pascua-Lama Gold Mine
Email petition expresses opposition to a Barrick Gold Corporation mining project in the Andean region of Pascua-Lama calling for the removal of glaciers that supply water to local farmers.
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Health Warnings
TRUE: The FDA has issued a health alert about the dangers of PPA, an ingredient commonly found in cold remedies and appetite suppressants.
Pink & White M&Ms Support Breast Cancer Research
Email flier urges recipients to buy special pink and white M&Ms to help fund breast cancer research through the SUsan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Pirate's Gold Chocolate Coins - Melamine Contamination Warning
Forwarded email says that Sherwood Brands Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate Coins imported from China may contain deadly melamine and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has warned the public not to eat, distribute or sell the candy.
Plug-In Air Fresheners a Fire Hazard
Email flier alleges that plastic plug-in air fresheners pose a serious fire hazard.
Prescription Drug Pricing
Email flier purporting to originate from U.S. government budget analysts blames inflated prescription drug prices on price gouging by pharmacies.
Pressing the 'Clear' Button at the Gas Pump
Forwarded email advises service station customers to press the 'clear' button after using a debit or credit card at the gas pump so subsequent users won't be able to 'piggyback' charges on their accounts.
Procter & Gamble Boycott (Homosexual Rights)
American Family Association email flier urges 'pro-family' readers to boycott Procter & Gamble due to the latter's support for repealing Cincinnati's anti-gay rights charter amendment.
Procter & Gamble Is Run by Satanists!
An oldie hits the charts again due to P&G's recent lawsuits against Amway for allegedly spreading false rumors.
'Progesterex' - New Date Rape Drug
According to this false email alert, there's a new date rape drug that permanently sterilizes female victims.
ProMeris Safety Warning
Forwarded email warns pet owners of possible health hazards associated with using ProMeris flea and tick treatments based on the author's personal experience with adverse reactions.
Propane Tank Warning
Email alert warns purchasers of propane tanks to avoid buying tanks with blue or green residue around the valve, an indication they may be contaminated with anhydrous ammonia.
PUMA Ads
Germany-based sports shoe manufacturer PUMA AG says a pair of pictorial "ads" currently circulating on the Internet and featuring sneaker-wearing adults engaged in an apparent sex act are "unauthorized," "appalling," and utterly fake.
Purell Hand Sanitizer Safety Warning
Emailed safety warning purporting to originate from Chevron Corporation warns that Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer is flammable and can catch fire if treated skin is exposed to an open flame soon after use.
RAND Corporation's 1954 Mock-Up of 'Home Computer'
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.
Sainsbury's Gift Voucher
Email hoax claims recipients will receive a free Sainsbury's gift voucher if they forward the message to 10 other people.
Salaries of Charity CEOs Compared
Email flier compares the salaries of top executives of U.S. charitable organizations.
Sears Maintains Benefits for Military Reservists
TRUE. Sears, Roebuck & Co. maintains full job benefits and partial pay for military reservists called to active duty for the Iraq war
Shampoo Cancer Warning
This chain letter falsely claims that sodium laureth sulfate, an ingredient found in some brand-name shampoos, is carcinogenic.
Shoes: Latest Fashions from Japan and Italy
Emailed photos of extremely uncomfortable-looking high-heel and platform shoes, allegedly the "latest fashions" from Japan and Italy.
Snakes Kill Child in Burger King Ball Pit
Email warns of baby rattlesnakes hiding in restaurant playgrounds.
Sony PSP Giveaway
Email hoax claims recipients will receive a free Sony PSP console if they forward the message to 20 other people.
Spirit Airlines 'Free Flight' Chain Letter
Email hoax claims recipients will receive a free round-trip flight from Spirit Airlines if they forward the message to 5 other people.
Starbucks vs. Israel
Is it true that specialty coffee chain Starbucks has closed all its stores in Israel, while still doing business in surrounding Arab countries?
Starbucks Refuses to Donate Coffee to U.S. Marines
Email flier accuses Starbucks of refusing to donate free coffee to U.S. Marines on the, er, grounds that the company is against the Iraq war "and anyone in it."
Tampax Pearl Tampons Warning
Anonymous email rumor claims loose fibers from Tampax Pearl tampons caused yeast infection and cervical bleeding in a user.
Target Bans Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Email fliers criticize Target Corporation for not allowing Salvation Army bell ringers on their premises at Christmas time.
Target Corp. Subsidiary Sells FCUK Brand Products
Email flier criticizes Target Corp. subsidiary Marshall Field's for marketing 'FCUK' brand fragrance and clothing to teenagers.
Target Stores vs. Vietnam Veterans
Does the Target Corporation consider Vietnam Veterans unworthy of its charitable support?
Tim Hortons Coffee Contains Nicotine
Email rumor claims Tim Hortons Coffee contains nicotine and poses a danger to smokers or those who are allergic to nicotine.
Tips on Pumping Gas
Forwarded email purports to share a petroleum industry insider's tips for saving money at the gas pump.
Toilet Paper Shortage Predicted Due to California Fires
"News story" circulated via email claims a major toilet paper factory burned down in the recent southern California wildfires, causing a paper shortage and predicted "run" on TP.
Toxic Sponges from P&G
A new email alert claims that "pot scrubbers" from P&G contain a toxic chemical.
Tyson Foods Drops Labor Day for Muslim Holiday
Forwarded emails say a Tyson Foods poultry processing plant in Tennessee has dropped the traditional Labor Day holiday for its workers in favor of a paid day off on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
Ultra Clorox is Dangerous to Pets & Children
It contains lye, says the email rumor, and therefore is more hazardous than regular Clorox.
UPS Uniforms Purchased on eBay by Possible Terrorists
Despite a plethora of email alerts claiming that mysterious buyers have bought a large number of UPS uniforms on eBay at very high prices, both companies say they're unaware of any such transactions.
U.S. Bank Email Scam
Spam email masquerades as a message from U.S. Bank requesting personal information from its customers. Don't bite!
Wal-Mart Check Copying Scam
Emailed alert written on Louisiana Dept. of Public Safety stationary warns of a 'multi-city' check copying scam run by a ring of Wal-Mart employees.
Wal-Mart Contributes 5% of Sales to Homosexual Group
Email flier from the American Family Association claims Wal-Mart contributes 5% of its sales to a homosexual group promoting same-sex marriage.
Wal-Mart Flip Flops Cause Skin Reaction
TRUE: Emailed images show skin rash caused by Chinese-made rubber flip flops purchased at Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart Makes Employees Pay for Flag Displays
Is Wal-Mart too greedy and unpatriotic to pay for American flag displays at its stores?
Wal-Mart Partners with Gay Marriage Group
Email flier notifies Christians that retail giant Wal-Mart has formed a partnership with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Washing Lint Filter Extends Clothes Dryer Lifespan
According to this email flier, cleaning the lint filter of your clothes dryer with a brush and soapy water on a regular basis will remove residue from fabric softener sheets and extend the appliance's lifespan.
Waterproof Sunscreen Causes Blindness in Children
Recycled 1998 warning alleges that children have gone blind due to exposure to waterproof sunscreens.
Woman Finds Human Finger in Bowl of Wendy's Chili
From the "Things That Sound Like Urban Legends but Aren't" file: A woman dining at a Wendy's restaurant in San Jose, California got the shock of her life when she realized the odd-shaped piece of meat she had just bitten into in a spoonful of chili was a human finger.
'World's Largest Pink Ribbon' to Be Built with Post-It Notes
Email flier announces the building of the "World's Largest Pink Ribbon" on a billboard in Times Square by the 3M Corporation.
Xerox 'Let's Say Thanks' Web Site
Email fliers tout the Xerox Corporation's "Let's Say Thanks" Web site allowing citizens to send free cards to U.S. troops overseas.
Yahoo Messenger Petition
It was only a matter of time...
Zicam Cold Remedy Warning
Anonymous email alert blames zinc-based nasal cold remedy Zicam for cases of anosmia (loss of the sense of smell).
