Sunday, January 25, 2015

Some internet/ FB/ email Hoaxes

February 11, 2012
 
These warnings and explanations are courtesy of Hoax Slayer
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/



Western Union Database Update Phishing Scam

Outline
Email purporting to be from Western Union claims that, due to a database update, recipients must follow a link in the message and update their online profile or risk having the account limited.

Brief AnalysisThe email is not from Western Union. It is a phishing scam designed to fool Western Unions users into divulging their account login details and other information to Internet criminals.

Mechanically Separated Chicken Warning

Outline
Circulating message describes the making of mechanically separated chicken and includes a photograph of the resulting chicken paste. The message claims that mechanically separated chicken is used to make McDonald's chicken nuggets.

Brief AnalysisMechanically separated chicken is real. Many food items such as hot dogs and chicken nuggets may indeed contain mechanically separated poultry. However, McDonald's chicken nuggets are no longer made from mechanically separated chicken.

Baby With Skin Rash Facebook Share Hoax

Outline
Facebook message that includes a series of photographs of a baby with a severe skin rash claims that Facebook will pay three cents to help the child every time that the message is shared or liked.

AnalysisThe message is a disgusting hoax. The claim that Facebook will donate money every time the message is shared or liked is an outright lie. Sadly, Nizza Manuela Duarte, the baby depicted in the images died back in 2009 due to a severe skin disease. The images were stolen and reused in this hoax without the permission of the child's parents. The images were most likely stolen from a 2009 Portuguese language blog post that discusses Nizza Manuela Duarte's case.


Hoax - Share Photo to Raise Money to Help Abused Puppy

Outline
Message circulating on Facebook that includes a photograph of a badly injured puppy claims that the Humane Society will donate $1 towards an operation to help the dog every time the photo is shared.

Brief AnalysisThe message is a nasty hoax. Sharing the picture will do absolutely nothing whatsoever to help this puppy. The Humane Society will certainly NOT donate money to help the puppy whenever the picture is shared. The puppy was treated for his injuries in 2010 and was subsequently adopted. Any message that claims that money will be donated to help a sick or injured child or animal in exchange for sharing is certain to be a hoax.


PayPal 'Your Credit Card Information Has Changed' Phishing Scam

Outline
Email purporting to be from PayPal claims that the recipient's credit card has been removed from the PayPal account and that he or she should follow a link to rectify the issue.

Brief AnalysisThe email is not from PayPal and the recipient's credit card has not been removed from the account as claimed. The message is a phishing scam designed to steal PayPal account information and credit card details.


You can also check out these website to validate emails or online offers. Anything that sounds too good to be true probably is.

http://www.snopes.com/

http://urbanlegends.about.com/

http://www.hoaxbusters.org/

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/

http://www.nonprofit.net/hoax/

http://www.hoaxbuster.com/

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