Rich Buhler & Staff

Rich Buhler is the founder of TruthorFiction and was a broadcaster, speaker, author, broadcast journalist, and producer who researched and wrote about rumors and urban legends for more than 30 years. Because of both his knowledge about what he terms “eRumors” and his broadcast background, Rich was a popular guest on radio and television and has appeared on national and international outlets including on CNN, MSNBC, NBC, Fox News, BBC, CBC, as well as local television and radio stations from Maryland to California. He has also either written, or been featured in, numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Rich operated TruthOrFiction.com until his death from pancreatic cancer in May of 2012, his family wrote and operated truthorfiction.com on his behalf until late 2018 and are still owners of the site.

Miracle Sand Storm in Iraq – Unproven!

Sandstorm in Iraq Uncovers Land Mines in the Desert, Saving Many Lives-Unproven!   Summary of eRumor: The eRumor says that a sandstorm followed by rain during the war in Iraq in 2003 saved many lives by uncovering a large number of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. The Truth: Sandstorms did affect the progress of coalition troops …

Miracle Sand Storm in Iraq – Unproven! Read More »

NASA Space Pen: a ten-year, $12 million price tab-Fiction!

NASA Spent $12 Million For a Space Pen While the Russians Just Use Pencils–Fiction!     Summary of eRumor: The message says that the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration spent ten years and $12 million developing a pen that writes in zero gravity for use by astronauts.  The pen will write upside down, underwater, …

NASA Space Pen: a ten-year, $12 million price tab-Fiction! Read More »

The returning Marine from Afghanistan who warmed the hearts of a real estate staff-Truth!

The Marine who Returned From Afghanistan and Warmed a Real Estate Office in California –Truth!     Summary of eRumor: The story of a group of realtors in California who had written letters to soldiers in Afghanistan to tank and encourage them.  After he had returned home from his service in Afghanistan, one of the …

The returning Marine from Afghanistan who warmed the hearts of a real estate staff-Truth! Read More »

Renew your email account because it's been suspended-Fiction!

Your Email Privileges Will be Suspended if You Don’t Sign Up Afresh-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: This message says your email account is being disabled because of “improper using.” You are supposed to click an attachment to sign up again. The Truth: This is not technically a virus, according to the virus experts, but it does …

Renew your email account because it's been suspended-Fiction! Read More »

Small Radio Chips used to Track Products-Truth!

Benetton, Gillette, and Other Companies Propose Use of Electronic Tags to Track Merchandise-Truth!   Summary of eRumor: The eRumor says there is a threat to privacy through the intended use of small chips embedded in clothing and other products that can provide information about the products and their users wirelessly. The Truth: The use of …

Small Radio Chips used to Track Products-Truth! Read More »

Donate to save Toby the rabbit-Unproven!  Probable Hoax!

Donate to Save Toby the Rabbit’s Life-Unproven!  Suspected Hoax!   Summary of eRumor: Radio, TV reports, and emails about www.savetoby.com, a site that says a bunny is going to be killed on June 30, 2005 unless $50,000 is raised.   The Truth: At this writing, the site is real. It was posted in March, 2005, …

Donate to save Toby the rabbit-Unproven!  Probable Hoax! Read More »

The Petroleum Equipment Institute report on gasoline fires started by sparks-Truth!

The Petroleum Equipment Institute Report on Gasoline Fires Started by Sparks-Truth!     Summary of eRumor: A message said to have resulted from a conversation with Robert Renkes of The Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) who says there have been more than 150 cases of fires caused by sparks from static electricity igniting gasoline vapors.  The …

The Petroleum Equipment Institute report on gasoline fires started by sparks-Truth! Read More »

Robin Williams' peace plan-Fiction!

Robin Williams’ Plan for Peace–Fiction!     Summary of eRumor: A list of various ingredients of a peace proposal involving the United States around the world.  It’s humorous in tone and attributed to comedian Robin Williams. The Truth: There is no evidence this originated with Robin Williams.   We’re not sure where it came from, but …

Robin Williams' peace plan-Fiction! Read More »

Veteran CNN Reporter Breaks Down On The Air After Being Touched by the Quality of American Soldiers-Unproven!

Veteran CNN Reporter Breaks Down On The Air After Being Touched by the Quality of American Marines-Unproven!     Summary of eRumor: The eRumor says CNN’s Martin Savidge offered to let some Marines call home from the Iraq war on his video phone.  One of them, a 19-year-old Marine asked if his platoon sergeant could …

Veteran CNN Reporter Breaks Down On The Air After Being Touched by the
Quality of American Soldiers-Unproven!
Read More »