Doug Heide - Heidesert Mortgage
How to fact check the Internet
“Facts” pop up on the Internet and often sound like they’re from a credible source. Here’s how to check them.
Fishy headlines. Search the exact headline on Bing or Google. If it’s fake, you’ll see links disputing it. Also check Snopes.com and reported.ly.
Visit the site. Go to the source site and check the About tab. See if they’re politically biased, satirical or a fake. Reputable sites have hyperlinks to backup research. Fake sites don’t provide research and may contain spelling and grammatical errors.
Search photos and videos. Right click on the suspicious item and save it to your desktop, then drag it to the image or video search box on Google or Bing. This will verify the subject and where it’s appeared.
Check the writer. Look on their Facebook and Twitter accounts for a blue checkmark verifying occupation and identity.
Double check breaking news. These stories often misidentify people and misreport what’s going on. Find a news outlet getting reports from its own people on the scene, not from other sources, indicated by phrases like “we have reports that...” and “we’re trying to confirm...”
Correct your own mistakes. If you post something you discover is untrue, delete it, apologize and provide the facts.
Respectfully correct others. When friends or family share misinformation on social media, gently tell them where they can find the right story.
Question all political ads. Companies can have a competitor’s ad pulled and demand proof of the claims made. This doesn’t happen in political advertising, where anything can be claimed with no proof required.
Here’s to getting your facts straight, online and off, as you keep putting together your best year ever... Enjoy a great month!
Call - 760/963-1643 or visit our website - www.heidesertmortgage.com
