4 Absurd Hoaxes That Keep Going Viral On Facebook
Jan 10, 2017 21:35:26 GMT -5
Post by Berean on Jan 10, 2017 21:35:26 GMT -5
4 Absurd Hoaxes That Keep Going Viral On Facebook
By Brett M. Christensen
Internet hoaxes come and go, often quite rapidly. Others keep reappearing over and over again. Endlessly. Here we list four hoaxes that keep coming back every few months or so. Despite thorough debunking, these silly hoaxes somehow manage to fool a great many Facebook users each and every time they reappear. Which may leave the rest of us face palming in frustration.
1: “Facebook Will Become Chargeable” Hoax Message
Outline:
Widely circulated Facebook post claims that from Saturday morning Facebook will become chargeable. It claims that your Facebook account will stay free if you prove that you are an avid user by sending the same message to at least 10 contacts.
Brief Analysis
The message is just a silly hoax. Facebook has not announced any plans to start charging users for access. The message is just one more version of a long series of earlier hoaxes that have falsely claimed that Facebook was about to start charging users unless they shared a post.
Read Full Report
2: Free Key Chain ‘Detector To Follow U Home’ Hoax Warning
Outline:
Message circulating rapidly via social media warns you not to accept a free key chain given out at petrol stations because it is a detector that can be used to follow you home. The message features an image that supposedly depicts some of the free key chain devices.
Brief Analysis:
The warning is just a revamped version of a much older hoax that falsely claimed that free sun-powered key holders being handed out at petrol stations contained a hidden device that could be used by criminals to track the movements of potential victims.
Read Full Report
3: Christopher or Jessica Davies Hacker Hoax Warning
Outline:
Message warns recipients not to accept a friend request from Christopher Davies or Jessica Davies because they are hackers who can gain access to your computer and the computers of your friends as well.
Brief Analysis:
The claims in this supposed warning are untrue. It is just one more in a long line of similar “hacker” hoaxes that substitute alternative names for the “hackers”. Even the most skilled hacker cannot take control of your computer just because you accept a friend request. For a hacking attempt to be successful, some sort of file transfer or exchange of information must take place. Sending on this nonsensical warning will help nobody.
Read Full Report
4: Deaths From Free Perfume Samples Hoax
Outline
Messages circulating via Facebook, SMS and email claim that seven women have died after inhaling free perfume samples sent to them in the mail.
Brief Analysis
The claims in these warning messages are untrue. The warning is a newer version of an old hoax that first began circulating back in 2001. There are no credible reports that support the claims in the message. Gleneagles Hospital has also denied any connection or involvement whatsoever with the warning message.
Read Full report
Full reports at link
By Brett M. Christensen
Internet hoaxes come and go, often quite rapidly. Others keep reappearing over and over again. Endlessly. Here we list four hoaxes that keep coming back every few months or so. Despite thorough debunking, these silly hoaxes somehow manage to fool a great many Facebook users each and every time they reappear. Which may leave the rest of us face palming in frustration.
1: “Facebook Will Become Chargeable” Hoax Message
Outline:
Widely circulated Facebook post claims that from Saturday morning Facebook will become chargeable. It claims that your Facebook account will stay free if you prove that you are an avid user by sending the same message to at least 10 contacts.
Brief Analysis
The message is just a silly hoax. Facebook has not announced any plans to start charging users for access. The message is just one more version of a long series of earlier hoaxes that have falsely claimed that Facebook was about to start charging users unless they shared a post.
Read Full Report
2: Free Key Chain ‘Detector To Follow U Home’ Hoax Warning
Outline:
Message circulating rapidly via social media warns you not to accept a free key chain given out at petrol stations because it is a detector that can be used to follow you home. The message features an image that supposedly depicts some of the free key chain devices.
Brief Analysis:
The warning is just a revamped version of a much older hoax that falsely claimed that free sun-powered key holders being handed out at petrol stations contained a hidden device that could be used by criminals to track the movements of potential victims.
Read Full Report
3: Christopher or Jessica Davies Hacker Hoax Warning
Outline:
Message warns recipients not to accept a friend request from Christopher Davies or Jessica Davies because they are hackers who can gain access to your computer and the computers of your friends as well.
Brief Analysis:
The claims in this supposed warning are untrue. It is just one more in a long line of similar “hacker” hoaxes that substitute alternative names for the “hackers”. Even the most skilled hacker cannot take control of your computer just because you accept a friend request. For a hacking attempt to be successful, some sort of file transfer or exchange of information must take place. Sending on this nonsensical warning will help nobody.
Read Full Report
4: Deaths From Free Perfume Samples Hoax
Outline
Messages circulating via Facebook, SMS and email claim that seven women have died after inhaling free perfume samples sent to them in the mail.
Brief Analysis
The claims in these warning messages are untrue. The warning is a newer version of an old hoax that first began circulating back in 2001. There are no credible reports that support the claims in the message. Gleneagles Hospital has also denied any connection or involvement whatsoever with the warning message.
Read Full report
Full reports at link