A fast-moving claim can travel much farther than the evidence behind it. Before repeating it, write down exactly what is being alleged and identify the person, place, and time involved. Clear questions make verification more focused.
Find the earliest available source, then seek independent confirmation. A second account is useful only if it is genuinely independent; several posts repeating the same unsourced message do not add new evidence. Check documents, direct witnesses, and relevant public records where available.
Keep a short record of what you checked and what remains unknown. If the claim cannot yet be confirmed, pause publication or label it as unverified. Correct the record promptly if new evidence changes the story.
From Rumor to Reliable Story: A Verification Checklist
