Electronic cables are silhouetted next to the logo of Facebook
Electronic cables are silhouetted next to the logo of Facebook in this September 23, 2014 illustration photo in Sarajevo. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

Hoaxes are those misleading news stories. People often share these hoaxes through the use of social media that include Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.

Apparently, Facebook is becoming more vigilant with stories or posts that seem to be a form of hoax. Reports say that the social media giant is cracking down on hoaxes on its News Feed. PCMag has compiled some of the famous hoaxes that hit the networking site in the past years.

Facebook Will Start To Charge Its Users

This false story has resurfaced so many times already but still has tricked many users. The company confirms that it has no plans of charging its millions of users who logs in to the site everyday. In a FAQ page, the company reiterates that the it will continue to be a free for all users.

Fake Ebola Scares

A bogus news site called the National Report has spread a false story about a family in Texas who got infected with the Ebola virus. What’s worse is that the hoax also mentioned that a small town in Texas where the family lives has been quarantined as well. Apparently, thousands of Facebook users have seen the hoax in their News Feeds and have shared it to others. Even the satire site has saw its traffic spike to millions of unique visitors.

Facebook Owns the Copyrights On Contents Uploaded To The Site

Another example of hoax which hit thousands of users claims that Facebook owns the rights to people’s photos, videos and other content. Again, the company re-affirms that users will get to keep the copyright of all their uploaded materials.

"Christmas Tree" App Virus

Information warning users not to install the "Christmas tree app" because it is a destructive trojan virus that will cause the users’ computers to crash is a hoax. Another misleading news since there is no virus or trojan like the one described in the messages.

Facebook Video Ads Hoax

Another false story which claims that Facebook will be implementing new video ads that will run automatically every ten minutes and would stop users from using Facebook and won’t be able to resume until the videos are finished running. It turns out that the message is not from the company’s CEO or from anyone else at Facebook.

Get To Know Who's Looking at Your Profile

Posts or pages which claim that it will let users see who has viewed their Facebook profile pages are scams. It would often route users to ad-filled sites. Users who are tempted to click on the link will be taken to another webpage which would entice the user to click more and permit an application to have access to the user’s Facebook profile.

Facebook Car Giveaway

Users will definitely take the bait if they read that they can win a new Audi, Mercedes, Range Rover, Camaro, or other car by liking a Facebook page or post and sharing it with friends. Yet, another big hoax. Hoax Natural Disaster Pictures

The technology today could certainly create fake photos which capture natural disasters. Facebook seems to be the perfect stage for such hoax photos. Photos showing sharks lurking in flood waters, huge storm clouds behind the Statue of Liberty and even a flooded McDonald’s store are just some which have been posted and shared in Facebook’s News Feed.

Hoax Natural Disaster Pictures

The technology today could certainly create fake photos which capture natural disasters. Facebook seems to be the perfect stage for such hoax photos. Photos showing sharks lurking in flood waters, huge storm clouds behind the Statue of Liberty and even a flooded McDonald’s store are just some which have been posted and shared in Facebook’s News Feed.

Children of Congresspeople Don't Have to Pay College Loans

Another Facebook post that went viral is a photo with a lengthy caption that claims Congress members' children do not have to pay back their college student loans. One big hoax since there in no such thing in the Constitution that states such benefits for Congress family members.

Leaked Celebrity Sex Videos

Videos which contain that three letter word and not to mention celebrities are involved, would certainly ignite attention from many users. But these are just click-baits which just transfer users to another site or would ask users to complete an online survey. Again, yet another hoax.

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