1. Ericsson 'Free Laptop' Promotion
Email chain letter claims phone manufacturer Ericsson will give away free laptop computers to those who forward the message to at least eight people. Status: False
2. 'Postcard from Hallmark' Virus Alert
False email alert warns of "the worst virus ever" circulating in the form of an attachment labeled "POSTCARD" or "POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK." Status: See details
3. Hercules, World's Biggest Dog (Photo)
Emailed image of a gargantuan dog named Hercules, purportedly the Guinness Record holder for World's Biggest Dog. Status: Fake
4. Add Cell Phones to Do Not Call Registry
Forwarded email warns that a directory of cell phone numbers will soon be published and urges users to enter their cell phone numbers on the federal Do Not Call Registry to prevent calls from telemarketers. Status: Mostly false
5. Lady Gaga Is a Man
An online concert video appears to show a little "something extra" peeking out from under Lady Gaga's miniskirt. Status: False
6. Swine Flu Prevention Tips
Forwarded email attributed to various Indian physicians as well as America's 'Dr. Oz' purports to give sound advice on preventing H1N1 swine flu. Status: Partly true
7. Nostradamus Predicted 9/11 Attacks
Internet rumors claim French seer Nostradamus predicted the September 11 attacks. Status: False
8. Photo of Animal/Human Hybrid
Circulating via email, an unsettling photograph of what appears to be a half-human, half-animal creature suckling her hybrid offspring Status: See details
9. Jamie Lee Curtis Is a Hermaphrodite
Longstanding rumors say actress Jamie Lee Curtis was born with male sex organs and underwent a sex change operation as an infant. Status: Dubious
10. Mr. Rogers Was a Marine Sniper / Navy Seal
Internet rumors allege that mild-mannered children's TV show host Fred Rogers had a former secret career as a trained assassin. Status: False
11. Amazing Tsunami Picture
Emailed image purports to show the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004 washing ashore on the Thai island of Phuket (or Indonesia, depending on version). Status: Fake
12. Shark Attacks Helicopter! (Photo)
Photo purporting to show a great white shark lunging out of the water to attack a scuba diver dangling from a helicopter ladder. Status: Fake
13. Breast Infestation (Photo / Video)
Emailed image and video purport to document the medical case of a female anthropologist who failed to seek treatment for a rash and wound up with an infestation of larvae in her breast. Status: Partly true
14. Giant Housecat (Photo)
Circulating via email, an unattributed photo of a really, really big housecat. Status: Authentic
15. SB-2099 - Bill Requiring Federal Tax on Guns
Nine-year-old email rumor claims a Senate bill has been secretly introduced which will require all U.S. citizens to list every gun they own on their federal income tax form. Status: False
16. Amazing Music Machine (Video)
Emailed video of an "amazing music machine" allegedly manufactured out of farm equipment parts at the University of Iowa. Status: False
17. Onions and Flu
Forwarded email claims placing sliced onions around the home will "collect" or "absorb" any flu virus present and protect members of the household from coming down with influenza. Status: False
18. 'Eye of God' in Outer Space (Photo)
Emailed NASA photo taken by the Hubble Space Telescope has been labeled the "Eye of God" by frequent forwarders. Status: Authentic
19. Friday the 13th Origins & History
How and why Friday the 13th came to be known as the unluckiest day of the year. Status: See details
20. Bill Gates Is Sharing His Fortune
Bill Gates and Microsoft promise cash to everyone who helps out in their "email beta test" by forwarding a chain email to all their friends. Status: False
21. The Obama Phone: Free Cell Phones for Welfare Recipients
Forwarded email claims the Obama administration has started a program whereby taxpayer money is being "redistributed" to provide free cell phones and service to welfare recipients. Status: Partly true
22. Barack Obama Is a Muslim
Email rumor alleges that U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama is a Muslim who has lied about his religious background, including his claim to being a devout Christian. Status: False
23. Do They Eat Babies in China?
Internet scuttlebutt claims aborted fetuses and dead babies are cooked and eaten in China. Status: False
24. Giant Texas Rattlesnake (Photo)
Emailed picture of a giant rattlesnake killed in Texas, allegedly measuring 9 feet 1 inch in length and weighing 97 pounds. Status: Unknown
25. Giant Texas Catfish (Photo)
Image circulating via email purports to document a gigantic catfish caught in Lake Texoma, Texas in 2004. Status: See details
Newly Added / Updated:
1. 'We Noticed' - Sherry Hackett's Letter to Obama
An open letter to Barack Obama attributed to Sherry Hackett, wife of deceased comedian Buddy Hackett, accuses the President of doing "more to destroy this nation than the attack on 9/11." Status: Dubious attribution
2. Ft. Hood Shooter Hasan Was on Obama's Homeland Security Transition Team
Online rumor claims that Nidal Hasan, who killed 14 people and wounded 30 during a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas on Nov. 5, 2009, was a member of President Obama's Homeland Security transition team. Status: False
3. Noah Biorkman Christmas Card Request
Email chain letter requests Christmas cards for Noah Biorkman, a terminally ill 5-year-old in South Lyon, Michigan suffering from neuroblastoma cancer. Status: True
4. HR 615 - Congress and Health Care
Forwarded email trumpets an online petition favoring a House resolution urging all members of Congress to enroll in any new 'government-run' or 'public option' health care plan created by Congress. Status: True, with spin
Last updated: 11/12/09
