Resources:
• The Top 25: Most popular topics of the past week
• Definitions: Hoax, rumor, urban legend
• How to Submit: Contribute a suspected hoax / legend
New & Updated Pages:
Lowe's Selling American Flag Doormats
Viral text expressing outrage on behalf of U.S. veterans claims Lowe's home improvement stores are selling American flag doormats. (Added 05/24/12)
Super-Skinny Fashion Models
Viral images purport to show grotesquely thin fashion models in runway shows and posing for photographs. (Updated 05/24/12)
The Difference Between Obama and Romney
Paired images contrast President Obama, depicted as a "man of the people" fist-bumping a janitor, with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a "man of wealth and privilege" receiving a shoeshine on an airport tarmac. (Added 05/19/12)
Vengeful Dentist Pulls Out All of Ex-Boyfriend's Teeth
News story claims a Polish dentist took revenge on her cheating boyfriend by sedating him and pulling out all of his teeth. (Added 05/11/12)
Lincoln Invented Facebook in 1845
Viral blog post claims Abraham Lincoln filed a patent on an analog version of Facebook in the mid-19th century. (Added 05/09/12)
Obama's Air Force One
Online postings claim President Obama replaced the American flag on the tail of Air Force One with his own campaign logo and slogan at a cost to taxpayers of $500,000. (Added 05/03/12)
Mitt Romney's Character
Circulating via email and social media, details of Mitt Romney's participation in efforts to locate and rescue the missing daughter of business colleague Robert Gay in 1996. (Added 05/02/12)
Missing Person: Ashley Flores
Chain emails and online postings seek help locating Ashley Flores, a 13-year-old girl allegedly missing in Philadelphia (or elsewhere). (Updated 05/02/12)
'Internet Doomsday' on July 9, 2012?
Viral warnings say hundreds of thousands of people may lose Internet access in July thanks to the "DNS Changer" malware. (Added 04/29/12)
'Invitation Facebook' Virus Warning
Forwarded messages warn of an attachment called "Invitation FACEBOOK" which allegedly harbors a virus that opens an Olympic torch that burns your hard drive. (Updated 04/27/12)
Cheating at the Gas Pumps
Email rumor claims a consumer was cheated by a rigged gas pump while refueling at a BP service station in Cartersville, Georgia (or Chatham, Georgia, or Ridgetown, Ontario, depending on version). (Updated 04/24/12)
Facebook Hoax: Share This Message to Help Infant Burn Victim
Circulating via social media, a viral appeal to share a photo of an infant burn victim to whom Facebook will allegedly donate $3 per online share, or $1 per "like." (Added 04/10/12)
Rick Santorum: 'I Will Ban Gay Pornography'
Viral quote attributed to Republican primary candidate Rick Santorum says he will ban all pornography, especially gay pornography, if elected, the only issue he sees "eye to eye on with the Taliban." (Added 04/04/12)
Mega Millions Lottery Winner Splits Proceeds via Facebook
Facebook prank claims Mega Millions lottery winner will split proceeds with everyone who shares his update. (Added 04/01/12)
April Fools' Day - History & Origin
Notes on the origin and history of April Fools' Day, plus some memorable pranks from years past. (Updated 03/30/12)
Don't Pump Gas on April 15th
Recycled "gas boycott" flier urges drivers to avoid buying gas for one day, April 15, 2012, to force fuel prices lower and punish Middle Eastern oil companies. (Added 03/27/12)
Rainbow Owl
Photo circulating via social media purports to depict the rare "Rainbow Owl," an almost-extinct species native to both China and the western U.S. (Added 03/27/12)
Obama Pranked by Ron Paul Supporter
Image circulating via Facebook and Twitter purports to show Barack Obama posing next to a college student with 'Vote Ron Paul' written on his hand. (Added 03/22/12)
Romney T-Shirts Spell 'MONEY'
Image circulating on Facebook and elsewhere purports to show presidential candidate Mitt Romney and family wearing T-shirts that spell out "MONEY" or "R MONEY." (Added 03/21/12)
Dumb Obama Quotes
A viral quiz consisting of ten public speaking gaffes attributed to various U.S. politicians including Barack Obama. (Added 03/13/12)
Harrisburg Tornado Picture
Circulating via social media, a recycled image from 2008 purports to show a tornado striking Harrisburg, Illinois on Feb. 29, 2012. (Added 03/08/12)
Standing Brooms on End During the Equinox
Latest online fad has folks posting photos of brooms balancing upright by themselves due to the spring equinox or a "planetary alignment." (Added 03/07/12)
Martha Raye in Vietnam
In this forwarded tale, a purported eyewitness recounts how entertainer Martha Raye helped save wounded soldiers in the field during a USO tour of Vietnam in 1967. (Added 02/28/12)
Tom Hanks' Father Was Lead Singer of The Diamonds
Viral text claims Tom Hanks' dad was the lead singer in the popular fifties and sixties vocal quartet The Diamonds. (Added 02/19/12)
Rick Santorum Declares War on Heavy Metal
Viral text claims Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has condemned heavy metal music as "Satanic" and the "single most dangerous force in America today." (Added 02/11/12)
Photo of Giant Snake in Delray, Florida
Viral image purports to show a very, very large snake spotted near Delray, Florida, the Morganza Spillway near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, or Branxton, NSW, Australia (depending on version). (Added 01/31/12)
Facebook Scam: 'Chuck Norris Is Dead' Video
Facebook postings purport to link to a video describing how action movie star Chuck Norris died. (Added 01/25/12)
Mechanically Separated Chicken
Viral image purportedly documents the manufacture of mechanically separated chicken, a processed food ingredient made using machinery that strips poultry meat off the bone and passes it through a sieve to form a smooth, thick paste. (Added 01/24/12)
Halal Meat in U.S. Supermarkets
Viral message warns consumers not to purchase halal meat sold in U.S. supermarkets, claiming it is processed in plants "notorious" for "filth and uncleanliness." (Added 01/18/12)
Pam Tebow's Story
A viral email about Pam Tebow, who came down with a case of amoebic dysentery just before becoming pregnant in 1986. Doctors recommended a medical abortion but she refused and ultimately gave birth to a healthy baby boy: Tim Tebow. (Added 01/13/12)
