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:
Picture of a 'Grave Cage'
Were iron cages placed over graves during the Victorian era to prevent vampires and zombies from returning from the dead? (Added 05/18/13)
Eminem Stabbed 4 Times in NYC!!
Scam postings purport to link users to a video showing rapper Eminem being stabbed by a crazed fan in New York City. (Added 05/15/13)
Rare Golden Zebra
Viral image of Zoe, a rare golden zebra with burnt-orange stripes and blue eyes. (Added 05/08/13)
NRA President: 'Only a Matter of Time Before We Can Own Colored People Again'
Viral "news article" claims incoming NRA president Jim Porter predicted a return to black slavery. (Added 05/08/13)
Nancy Pelosi: Miss Lube Rack 1955
Viral image purports to show a young Nancy Pelosi (née Nancy D'Alesandro) posing in a bathing suit in an auto repair shop as "Miss Lube Rack 1955." (Added 05/03/13)
Facebook Will End on May 15, 2013
Viral "news story" claims Facebook will end on May 15, 2013 because founder Mark Zuckerberg finds managing the company "too stressful." (Added 04/28/13)
The Death of David Gregory
Chain letter circulating via social media claims 16-year-old David Gregory was found dead in a sewer after reading the message without reposting it. (Added 04/26/13)
Winged Spider Discovered
Viral image purports to show a newspaper clipping confiming that scientists have discovered a "winged spider." (Added 04/24/13)
Police Officer Delivers Milk During Boston Lockdown
Viral image shows a police officer delivering milk to a family with a 16-month-old son in Watertown during the citywide lockdown after the Boston Marathon bombings. (Added 04/23/13)
Mr. Rogers Quote: 'Look for the Helpers'
A viral quote that commonly circulates in the wake of tragic public events is attributed to kids' show host Fred Rogers. (Added 04/17/13)
Pic: Man Had Planned to Propose to Deceased Boston Bombing Victim
Caption of viral image showing a man in a red shirt tending a female victim of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings says he had planned to propose to her as she crossed the finish line. (Added 04/16/13)
Pic of 8-Year-Old Girl Killed in Boston Marathon Bombings
Viral image supposedly shows an 8-year-old girl killed in terrorist bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon. (Added 04/16/13)
'Rarest Meteor Shower' April 22, 2013
Internet postings claim one of the 'rarest' meteor showers will occur on April 22, 2013, with a predicted number of about 20 meteors per minute. (Added 04/12/13)
Joel Osteen Resigns, Leaves Christian Faith
Viral "news article" claims Joel Osteen has renounced the Christian faith and resigned as Pastor of Lakewood Church. (Added 04/08/13)
'Money Bags' Chain Letter
Viral message claims that only once ever 823 years does the month of March have 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays, a phenomenon supposedly called "money bags." (Added 03/19/13)
Don't Pump Gas on April 15
Updated gas boycott flier urges drivers to avoid buying gas for one day, April 15, 2013, to force fuel prices lower and punish Middle Eastern oil companies. (Updated 03/12/13)
Facebook 'Graph App' and Privacy
Viral postings claim Facebook's new "Graph App" (Graph Search) will compromise members' privacy by making all their photos, comments and likes visible to total strangers. (Added 03/09/13)
Giant Spider in Manchester
Viral image purports to show a huge, long-legged spider lurking in the corner of a house in Manchester, England. (Added 03/08/13)
Young Frances Bavier ('Aunt Bee')
Viral image purportedly shows the young Frances Bavier (the actress who played Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show) as a pin-up model. (Added 03/06/13)
Five Nuclear Carriers at Norfolk Naval Station
Viral message claims five nuclear carriers were docked at once at Norfolk Naval Station in Feb. 2013 for routine inspections, allegedly a breach of military protocol and the first time this has happened since WWII. (Added 03/02/13)
Spider in Oreo Cookie
Viral image purports to show a spider found smashed inside an Oreo Cookie. (Added 03/01/13)
Facebook Jail
Viral postings advise Facebook users against clicking the "Not Now" button when receiving friend requests to avoid sending the requesting member to "Facebook Jail." (Added 03/01/13)
Last Time They Were Seen Alive
Slideshow: Bogus images purport to show average people as they looked mere moments before they met their doom. (Added 02/28/13)
Bottle Bombs / Drano Bombs
Viral alerts warn recipients to beware of 'bottle bombs,' homemade explosive devices consisting of water, Drano, and aluminum foil in plastic bottles. (Updated 02/21/13)
2.3% Medical Excise Tax in Obamacare
Viral image of a customer receipt from Cabela's sporting goods store is offered as proof of a "hidden" 2.3% medical excise tax under Obamacare. (Added 02/19/13)
Microchip Implants Required Under Obamacare
Viral warnings claim that a provision in Obamacare will require all Americans to receive microchip implants beginning March 23, 2013. (Added 02/16/13)
Bill Gates Promises $5,000 to Everyone Who Shares Facebook Photo
Viral image circulating on Facebook shows Bill Gates holding a sign saying he will give $5,000 to everyone who clicks the share link. (Added 02/14/13)
Abnormally Large Spider
Facebook photo purports to show a massive, 10-foot-long spider crawling up the side of a house (also known as "Angolan witch spider"). (Added 02/09/13)
Facebook Closed for Maintenance Feb. 29th - 31st
Prank posting says Facebook will be closed for maintenance on the nonexistent dates of Feb. 29th, 30th, and 31st, 2013. (Added 02/08/13)
Capri Sun Mold Warning
Viral image shows a glob of mold found in a pouch of Capri Sun fruit drink in Feb. 2013. Similar incidents have been reported previously. (Added 02/06/13)
