Bogus Warnings
Links to reports that discuss false and misleading warnings and alerts that circulate via social media, SMS, and email.
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Bogus WarningsHealth And WellbeingHealth Hoaxes
False Claim – Onions are Magnets for Bacteria
by Brett M. Christensen December 24, 2017Circulating health warning claims that raw or leftover onions are poisonous because they are magnets for bacteria and are therefore not safe to eat.
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Bogus WarningsFacebook Related
‘Koobface Trojan Worm’ Facebook Warning – Elements of Truth Mixed With Inaccurate Information
by Brett M. Christensen November 25, 2017A post currently circulating on Facebook is warning users not to accept messages from their friends that ask them to watch a video on YouTube. The first part of the circulating message contains elements of truth that should be heeded.
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Bogus WarningsMisleading
Misleading Warning about Missed Calls From +375 and +371 Numbers Outline
by Brett M. Christensen October 30, 2017Message circulating via SMS, social media and email warns you not to return missed calls from numbers starting with +375 or +371 because you will be charged between $15 and $30 for each returned call and your contact list and financial information will be instantly stolen from your phone.
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Bogus Warnings
‘Check Your Receipts’ – Cash Back Scam Warning is Untrue
by Brett M. Christensen August 11, 2017Message warns shoppers to always check their receipts before leaving the check-out because people are being caught out by a scam in which unscrupulous cashiers add unauthorized cash back requests to transactions.
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Bogus WarningsFacebook Hacker Hoaxes
Pointless Facebook Warning – Hackers Posting Insulting Messages or Sexual Content In Your Name
by Brett M. Christensen August 7, 2017‘Hacker’ alert messages circulating on Facebook claim that, without your knowledge, hackers are posting insulting or sexual messages that appear to come from you onto your Facebook Timeline.
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Bogus Warnings
Bogus Warning – ‘Violin Spider Inside Kettle Kills Family Of 6’
by Brett M. Christensen July 15, 2017Circulating message claims that a family of six died after making tea from a kettle of water that contained a violin spider.
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Bogus WarningsHoaxes
Hoax Warning: Lost Child Lure — ‘New Way for Gang Members to Rape Women’
by Brett M. Christensen June 16, 2017Circulating message warns that violent gang members are using children who pretend to be lost as a means of tricking women into going to gang houses where they will be raped.
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Bogus WarningsFacebook RelatedHoaxes
Absurd ‘Williams Sarah Works For Facebook’ Warning Message
by Brett M. Christensen June 14, 2017Facebook message warns you not to accept a friend request from one Williams Sarah because she works for Facebook and will remove your account.
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Bogus WarningsFacebook RelatedHoaxes
Another Useless Facebook Warning Post — ‘Little Girl Disfigured Trojan Horse Virus’
by Brett M. Christensen June 7, 2017According to a rather breathless warning message that is currently circulating on Facebook, you should not open a Facebook post featuring a photo of a disfigured little girl because the photo is a “trojan horse virus”.