Did someone send you a breathless Tweet or Facebook posting about a major turkey recall this week?
Tens of thousands of Americans (it may be soon be millions) are sharing a "news report" about a massive pre-Thanksgiving turkey recall.
But it is a hoax. I will repeat that : it is a hoax. That means it's not true.
What the Report Claims
The report claims that millions of frozen turkeys have been recalled because they contain a dangerous illness that can be transferred to humans, and that is not destroyed by cooking.
It even quotes the Centers for Disease Control, saying "The CDC has confirmed that millions of turkeys have been recalled due to safety concerns over an avian virus that the birds may be harboring."
But no one at the CDC ever said that.
Fake News Website Strikes Again
The story comes from a fake news website called "The National Report." (We are not justifying it with a direct link. You can look it up yourself if you'd like).
It is the same website that sent millions of Facebook users into a frenzy a few months ago with a claim that Facebook is about to charge a monthly fee.
It also recently put out a bogus article that said the IRS will be withholding tax refunds next spring. Again, millions of people shared it and freaked out.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that you should never trust one social media post about anything. And if someone links you to a news "article," look to see where it is from. Have you ever heard of that site before?
Finally, if you are unsure, Google the topic: you'll know in a fraction of a second if it is true.
That way you don't waste your money.
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Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.
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