1. 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
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. 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
4. 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
5. Parodies of 'The Night Before Christmas'
A collection of Internet parodies of Clement Clarke Moore's classic Christmas poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas."
6. Harold B. Estes Letter to Obama
Emailed letter attributed to 95-year-old World War II Navy veteran Harold B. Estes lambastes President Obama for "telling our friends & enemies despicable lies" and advises him to "shape up and start acting like an American." Status: Authentic
7. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. Flight 297 Atlanta to Houston
Forwarded email purports to convey an eyewitness account of a Muslim terrorist 'dry run' aboard AirTran Airways Flight 297 from Atlanta to Houston on November 17, 2009. Status: Investigating
9. Sarah Palin in American-Flag Bikini w/Rifle
Emailed image purports to show Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin posing for a photo sporting an American flag bikini and a rifle. Status: Fake
10. 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
11. Nostradamus Predicted 9/11 Attacks
Internet rumors claim French seer Nostradamus predicted the September 11 attacks. Status: False
12. '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
13. 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
14. Ciara Is a Man
Forwarded email claims that hip-hop/R&B star Ciara was born male and is either a secret transvestite or underwent a sex-change operation to become a transsexual. Status: False
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. 'UPS/Fed Ex Delivery Failure' Virus
Email warns of a new computer virus circulating as an attachment to emails purporting to originate from the "UPS Packet Service" (or Fed Ex or DHL). Status: True
19. 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
20. World's Tallest Woman (Photos)
Emailed photos purport to show the world's tallest woman at 7 feet, 4 inches tall and 320 pounds. Status: False
21. Do They Eat Babies in China?
Internet scuttlebutt claims aborted fetuses and dead babies are cooked and eaten in China. Status: False
22. Richard Gere and the Gerbil
Old rumors say actor Richard Gere was rushed to an emergency room one night to have a small, furry rodent removed from a bodily orifice. Status: False
23. Sarah Palin 'Hot Pictures'
Photos circulating on the Internet allegedly show a scantily-clad Sarah Palin. Status: Fake
24. 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
25. Amazing Animated Christmas Lights (Video)
Viral video of Carson Williams' suburban house decorated with animated Christmas lights synchronized to 'Wizards of Winter' by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Status: True/Outdated
Recently Added / Updated:
1. The 12 Days of Christmas
Forwarded email reveals the "secret meaning" of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," claiming it was an "underground catechism song" to help Catholics practice their faith despite religious persecution in Protestant England. Status: Dubious
2. Christmas Cards for Nathan Elfrink
Email chain letter and Internet postings solicit Christmas cards for Nathan Elfrink, a 7-year-old Ohio boy diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Status: True/Outdated
3. Christmas Cards for Jacob Hadcock
Email chain letter solicits Christmas cards for Jacob Hadcock, allegedly a 4-year-old with terminal cancer in Mexico, New York. Status: Partly true
4. Best Buy Ads Celebrate Muslim Holiday, Not Christmas
Forwarded email urges a consumer boycott of Best Buy on the grounds that its advertising recognizes a Muslim holiday but not Christmas. Status: Partly true
Last updated: 12/19/09
