1. 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
2. Barack Obama Is the Antichrist
Email rumor claims charismatic U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama is the Antichrist prophesied in the New Testament. Status: Silly
3. Sarah Palin 'Hot Pictures'
If Internet search traffic is any indication, Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin is the hottest thing going -- in more senses than one. Status: Fake
4. 'Postcard' Virus Warning
Email alert warns of "the worst virus ever" circulating in the form of an attachment labeled "Postcard." Status: See details
5. Barack Obama Isn't a Natural-Born Citizen
Email rumor claims that Barack Obama is ineligible to become president because according to the laws in effect at the time of his birth he is not a natural-born citizen of the United States. Status: False
6. 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
7. Sarah Palin in a Bikini (Photo)
Emailed image purports to show Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin posing for a photo wearing an American-flag bikini and carrying a rifle. Status: Fake
8. Burundanga Drug Warning
Forwarded emails warn that U.S. criminals are using business cards impregnated with a potent street drug called burundanga (aka scopolamine) to incapacitate victims before attacking them. Status: Mostly false
9. 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
10. Barack Obama Doesn't Salute Flag, Anthem
Photo allegedly shows Barack Obama neglecting to place his hand over his heart during the flag salute (or national anthem). Status: Partly true
11. Nostradamus Predicted the 9/11 Attacks
Internet rumors claim French seer Nostradamus predicted the September 11 attacks. Status: False
12. Obama's Random Act of Kindness
Forwarded email relates a story published in a Norwegian newspaper about Mary Menth Andersen, who was stranded without money in the Miami airport one day in 1988 and unable to pay a $103 luggage surcharge. A tall, well-dressed stranger came to her rescue and paid the fee. His name: Barack Obama. Status: True
13. Free Laptops from Ericsson
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
14. Obama Explains Flag Salute, National Anthem Stance
Circulating via email, an alleged quote from Barack Obama explains why he doesn't wear a flag pin or salute the flag during the national anthem. Status: False
15. Giant Housecat (Photo)
Emailed photo of a really, really big housecat in the arms of a standard-sized human. Status: Authentic
16. A Message from David Letterman
Article attributed to late-night talk show host David Letterman labels the majority of Americans "ungrateful, spoiled brats" for saying they're unhappy with the current direction of the country. Status: Misattributed
17. 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
18. 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
19. Hercules the Liger (Photos)
Emailed photos of a 10-foot "liger" (a cross between a lion and a tiger) named Hercules. Status: Authentic
20. 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 unsolicited calls from telemarketers. Status: False
21. '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
22. Petition No. 2493 (Religious Broadcasting)
New email variants of decades-old petition expressing outrage over alleged attempt by atheists to force a government ban on religious broadcasting in the United States. Status: False
23. Halloween Gang Initiation Warning
Emails and text messages warn that wannabe gang members plan to kill 31 women in various locales as part of a "gang initiation weekend." Status: False
24. 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
25. Man Finds Mouse Baked into Hot Dog Bun
Charlotte, NC man opens a package of hot dog buns and discovers what appears to be a rodent baked into one of the buns. Status: Dubious
Recently added / updated:
1. Nikita Khrushchev Quote
"We cannot expect Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism." Status: Fake
2. ABC News Bans Flag Lapel Pins
Forwarded email claims ABC News has issued orders forbidding reporters to wear American flag lapel pins or other patriotic insignia. Status: True
3. Maggots in Oreos (Photos)
Emailed photos purport to show an infestation of maggots or insect eggs in the cream filling of an Oreo cookie made in China. Status: Dubious
Last updated: 11/14/08
