CSICOP Tracks Misinformation and Hoaxes in the Wake of the Terrorist Attacks

September 20, 2001

The terrorist attacks in Manhattan, Washington, DC and the Pittsburgh area constitute the most tragic and violent events ever perpetrated in the United States. As with other tragedies, conspiracy theories, hoaxes, and other forms of misinformation crop up almost immediately, playing on people's hopes, fears, and appetite for amazing tales. E-mail has multiplied the speed and extent to which hoaxes, rumors and urban legends spread.

Late last week, Rob Beeston of the Central Iowa Skeptics suggested that CSICOP set up an online clearinghouse for the misinformation related to the terrorist attacks. We thought it was a great idea, and in the interest of public service, the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal has created this Web page as a source for factual information that debunks much of the claptrap circulating in e-mails, the Internet and elsewhere. We will update this site in reaction to new developments and we're extremely interested in any e-mails or Web sites circulating suspicious information. We ask everyone to please forward any suspicious e-mails or links to our hotline e-mail address at info@csicop.org.

CSICOP extends its sincere condolences to the victims and their families: they are in our thoughts.

-Kevin Christopher, Public Relations Director, CSICOP

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For complete article debunking hoaxes and scams, with links andgraphics, click link below.