Articles Index
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?
'I Want to Stay Privately Connected'
'I want to stay privately connected...' Viral message purports to explain how Facebook members can protect the privacy of their comments and likes.
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.'
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 and failing to repost it. Did Carmen Winstead kill him?
Obama's 'Foreign Student' ID Found?
Viral image purports to show Barack Obama's 1981 student ID card from Columbia University, listing him as a 'foreign student.'
Rare Golden Zebra
Viral image of Zoe, a rare golden zebra with burnt-orange stripes and blue eyes. Does she really exist?
Urban Legends: The Top 5 Travel Horror Stories
From the Urban Legends archive, the five absolute worst, most dreadful, horrifying vacation travel stories we've ever heard!
'Black Lion' Picture
Photo circulating via social media purports to show a rare, all-black lion discovered in Africa. (P.S., it's fake.)
13 Creepy Tales to Tell After Dark
Scary stories and urban legends: It's the witching hour on a dark, moonless night. You're huddled with friends around a campfire in the woods far from town, taking turns telling tales. Someone in the shadows clears his throat and begins to speak: 'Did you hear the one about...'
HOAX: Facebook Will End on May 15th, 2013
Viral 'news story' claims Facebook will end on May 15, 2013 because founder Mark Zuckerberg finds managing the company 'too stressful.'
Photo of Mouse in Chinese Food
Viral image of what appears to be a newborn or fetal mouse in a take-out carton of fried rice has been associated with Chinese restaurants in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Winged Spider
Viral image purports to show a newspaper clipping confirming that scientists have discovered a 'winged spider.'
Top 10 Funniest Celebrity Responses to Fake Death Reports
Celebrities respond to false Internet death notices.
Dog Park Alert: Nails in Cheese
Viral image replicating on Facebook purports to document a 'new trend' at dog parks, namely people leaving cheese and ham mixed with nails to cause injury and death to pets.
Giant Spider in Manchester
Viral image purports to show a huge, long-legged spider lurking in the corner of a house in Manchester, England.
Police Officer Delivers Milk During Boston Lockdown
AUTHENTICATED: 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.
'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.
Navy SEALs (Photo)
Viral image purports to show a battle-ready team of Navy SEALs, fully armed and wearing skull masks.
Mr. Rogers: 'Look for the Helpers'
A viral quote that commonly circulates in the wake of tragic public events is correctly attributed to kids' show host Fred Rogers.
Man Had Planned to Propose to 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.
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.
Giant Coconut Crab
Viral images of gargantuan specimens of Birgus latro - the coconut crab - named for its preferred diet of fallen coconuts and said to be the world's largest land-dwelling arthropod.
Joel Osteen Resigns, Leaves Christian Faith
Viral 'news article' claims Joel Osteen has renounced the Christian faith and resigned as Pastor of Lakewood Church.
Young Frances Bavier ('Aunt Bee' on The Andy Griffith Show)
Viral image purportedly shows the young Frances Bavier (the actress who played Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show) as a pin-up model.
Microchip Implants Required Under Obamacare? No.
Viral warnings claim that a provision in Obamacare will require all Americans to receive RFID microchip implants beginning March 23, 2013.