Hoaxes

Email Claims Gel Candles Can Explode Toilets

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The destructive power of gel candles is heralded by a scare e-mail claiming these candles are capable of destroying toilets and burning down houses. The e-mail has some facts right; gel candles can flare up, causing fires, and there have been several gel candle recalls. But none of the recalls say anything about these candles … Read more

E-mail Overhypes Danger of 809 Phone Scam

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The threat of the “809” phone scam–in which individuals try to trick people in the U.S. into calling a seemingly-national, but actually-international phone number–is blown ridiculously out of proportion by an e-mail circulating the net. The basic premise of the e-mail is true. The area codes do lie outside the United States and certain scam … Read more

Phenylpropanolamine Chain Letter Confuses, Misinforms

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Truth is corrupted by fiction in an e-mail chain letter that tries to warn about the dangers of the recalled drug phenylpropanolamine. The FDA asked drug makers to recall the drug–used in several over-the-counter cold medicines and some weight loss products–and it has been connected to a minor increase in the chance of hemorrahgic stroke … Read more

Plugin, Burn Out

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Glade “Plugins” — small fragrance dispensers that run off of electricity — are being blamed for countless house fires in a newly-circulated e-mail. It’s also generating plenty of grassroots comments from people who say they — or someone they know — have had problems with the product. According to the e-mail — told by a … Read more

Anyone Feeling a Draft?

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A new e-mail is circulating the net claiming that the Bush administration is quietly attempting to bring back the draft, with an eye towards springing it on the country in Spring 2005, after the elections are over. In truth, while almost all of the elements in the e-mail are true — there are draft bills … Read more

Budweiser Frogs Threaten Virus Havoc

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An old e-mail hoax featuring the Budweiser Frogs has recently re-surfaced with a slightly re-tooled message of digital destruction. The original version of the e-mail, which I last remember seeing when the Budweiser Frogs were still popular (about 1999) just promised to destroy your hard drive. But in keeping with the times, the new version … Read more

Debunking George W. Bush’s Resume

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There’s an e-mail that’s been going around for quite a while called “Bush’s Resume” which lists a few dozen “accomplishments” of the president. This blog entry includes links to sites that attempt to refute the points of this dubious document.

Downtrodden Debbie Shwartz Hoax Claims AOL Will Give Her Money for E-mail

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A tragedy-filled, tear-jerking e-mail claims you’re a heartless if you don’t forward an e-mail that will net a distraught mother .12 cents from AOL for every person you send it to. But if you do forward it, what you’ll be missing isn’t your heart — it’ll be another essential organ that usually resides inside your … Read more