Last Updated March 22, 2003
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    The information on this page is far from complete, but it will endeavor to list the most common stories currently in circulation. Should you receive a story not listed here, please check with one of the sources provided in the right column or forward the message to the Hoax Detective at hoaxdetective@aol.com.

    Stories have been organized alphabetically either by subject or other well known name. In some cases, the same story may be listed under more than one name in the event the story may be known by several different names.

    Real stories are indicated in RED
    Hoaxes are indicated in BLUE

    AOL/Intel Merger
    One of many money giveaway hoaxes
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Ann Margaret Vietnam Vet Tribute
    Actress Ann Margaret pays a warm tribute to Vietnam Vets
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Bad American (I Am A Bad American)
    Phony story attributed to several well known celebrities including George Carlin, Ted Nugent, Rush Limbaugh and others. A fun read, but a hoax nonetheless.
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Bill 602P
    Non-existent bill to impose a 5¢ surcharge on e-mail
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages
       •  TruthOrFiction.com
       •  United States Postal Service
       •  The Washingtonian
       •  The Washington Post

    Bonsai Kittens
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages

    The Breast Cancer Site
       •  TruthOrFiction.com
       •  The Breast Cancer Site

    Car Theft Tactics
    A little used tactic, but still something to watch out for.
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages

    Cell Phones Cause Fires At Gas Pumps
    Can a cell phone cause a fire at a gas pump?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Charlie Daniels:
    Open Letter to the Hollywood Bunch

    Did Charlie Daniels write a letter to anti-war Hollywood celebrities? You betcha!
       •  Read The Letter on Charlie's Web Site!

    Congressional Pension Plan
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Cracker Barrel Giveaway
    Another of the many money/product giveaway hoaxes.
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages
       •  Microsoft (letter by Bill Gates)

    Credit Card Reporting / Opting Out
    Partly True
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Dial #77 for Emergency Help
    The story itself is unconfirmed, however, the information contained in the story is still useful, but the procedures for such emergency help vary from state-to-state. Read the TruthOrFiction.com story to get further information.
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Gay Jesus Movie
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages

    Gel Candle Hazard?
    Are gel candles exploding and causing fires?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Gang Kidnap Warning Hoax
    Phony reports of gang members hiding in the back seats of cars at gas stations to kidnap women. The story itself is a hoax, however, some useful personal safety information can be gleaned from the story.
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Jane Fonda North Vietnam Visit
    The truth about "Hanoi Jane's" visit to North Vietnam
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Knockout Perfume
    Have women been knocked out by sniffing perfume then robbed?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    McDonald's To Import Beef
    This story is basically true, but the message is misleading. Click on the link for the accurate information.
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages

    McDonalds Ball Pit Danger?
    Are HIV infected needles being found in McDonald's playground ball pits?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Microwaving Food In Plastic Wrap
    This story originally listed as false is now considered disputed with claims on both sides that microwaving food in plastic wrap causes cancer.
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    The Missing Day
    Did NASA really find the "missing day" as chronicled in the Bible?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Nutrasweet
    Does it cause MS and other health problems?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Godless Pepsi Cans?
    Did Pepsi produce a can leaving out the words "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance? Not quite!
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Privacy Alert!
    Use BCC when sending group e-mail
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Privacy Alert: Florida Driver's Records
    Florida motorists can block the DMV from disclosing their motor vehicle and driver license records. Read the associated story to get further information.
       •  Urban Legends Reference Pages

    Slavemaster / SweetCaliGuy4evr / Monkeyman935
    Lots of false information among a very tiny grain of truth. This story recirculates very regular, often unchanged except with a new name inserted. Currently there are three known variations.
       •  TruthOrFiction.com
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages

    Static Electricity Hazard at Gas Pumps
    Can static electricity cause a fire at a gas pump?
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages

    Target Stores - Unpatriotic?
    Message urging people not to buy at Target stores because the company turned down a request for funds for a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    U.S. Postage Stamps Honor Muslim Holidays
    Is it true that the U.S. Postal service issued stamps to honor Muslim holidays?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Traffic Tickets
    This hoax explains how you can keep traffic tickets off your record. This is not only a hoax, it may also be illegal.
       •  TruthOrFiction.com
       •  Urban Legend Reference Pages

    Stolen UPS Uniforms Being Sold on eBay?
    Are stolen UPS uniforms being sold on eBay to terrorists in order to get into various facilities?
       •  TruthOrFiction.com

    Urban Legend & Hoax Resources

  • Urban Legend Reference Pages
  • TruthOrFiction.com
  • Hoaxbusters
  • Electronic Ephemera


    General Information About Hoaxes &
    Urban Legends

    Anatomy of a Rumor
    by TruthOrFiction.com

    General Information About Hoaxes
    by Hoaxbusters

    What are Internet Hoaxes
    by Hoaxbusters

    The Risk & Cost of Hoaxes
    by Hoaxbusters

    Identifying Hoaxes
    by Hoaxbusters

    Identifying a Chain Letter
    by Hoaxbusters

    Validating a Warning
    by Hoaxbusters

    Why People Send Chain Letters
    by Hoaxbusters

    History of Hoaxes
    by Hoaxbusters

    Common Sense Required for Online Reading
    CNN.com - June 28, 2002

    Top 10 Internet Hoaxes
    CNN.com - December 24, 2001