1. 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
2. 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
3. 'Postcard' Virus Warning
Email alert warns of "the worst virus ever" circulating in the form of an attachment labeled "Postcard." Status: See details
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Did Eminem Die in a Car Crash?
Dear Guide: We read on the Internet on Sunday, December 17 that Slim Shady, a.k.a. Eminem, died in a car crash at 2:30 in the morning. Status: False
8. Burundanga Drug Warning
Forwarded emails warn that 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. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. Is Barack Obama the Antichrist?
Email rumor claims charismatic U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama is the Antichrist prophesied in the New Testament. Status: Silly
13. Bogus Sarah Palin Quotes
Circulating via email, a series of preposterous quotes attributed to Repubican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the subjects of evolution, oil drilling in ANWR, and Alaskans serving in the military in Iraq. Status: Fake
14. Ericsson 'Free Laptop' Hoax
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
15. '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
16. Richard Gere and the Gerbil
Was actor Richard Gere admitted to the hospital with a
small, furry animal lodged in his butt? Status: False
17. Giant Housecat (Photo)
Emailed photo of a really, really big housecat. Status: Authentic
18. Nostradamus Predicted 9/11
Emailed "quatrain" purportedly written by Nostradamus predicted the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Status: False
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. Don't Wear Campaign Garb at Polling Places
Email rumor warns Barack Obama supporters not to wear Obama shirts, pins, or hats to polling places because it is considered campaigning (electioneering) under the law and grounds for officials to turn voters away. Status: Varies by state
21. Brown Recluse Spider Bite (Photos)
Emailed photos purport to show the progressive deterioration of a wound caused by the bite of the poisonous brown recluse spider. Status: Uncertain
22. World Record Grizzly Bear (Photos)
Are emailed pictures of a giant, 1,600-pound, man-eating grizzly bear allegedly killed in Alaska by a hunter or Forest Service employee real? Status: Partly true
23. Mr. Rogers Was a Marine Sniper / Navy Seal
Longstanding rumor claims children's TV show host Fred Rogers had a previous career as a military sharpshooter with over a hundred kills to his credit. Status: False
24. Hair Bands Made from Used Condoms in China
Authorities in China have reportedly discovered instances of used condoms being recycled to make cheap elastic hair bands. Status: Unlikely
25. Bill Gates Is Sharing His Fortune!
Email claims Microsoft and AOL have merged and that Bill Gates is promising a cash reward to everyone who forwards the message to "beta test" a new software program. Status: False
New / Updated:
1. Baby Carrots Warning
Email flier warns that baby carrots sold in supermarkets pose a health risk because they're processed in chlorine. Status: False
2. Largest Reenlistment Ceremony Ever
Emailed photos taken in Baghdad, Iraq show 1,215 uniformed servicemembers taking part in the single largest U.S. reenlistment ceremony since the all-volunteer force began in 1973. Status: True
3. In-N-Out Burger 60th Anniversary Special
Email hoax claims In-N-Out Burger restaurants will offer discount menu prices for its 60th anniversary celebration on October 22, 2008. Status: False
4. Three Men Who Brought Down Wall Street
Forwarded email alleges that three former Fannie Mae executives accused of improprieties -- Franklin Raines, Tim Howard, and Jim Johnson -- are all now serving as top economic advisers to Barack Obama. Status: False
Last updated: 10/08/08
