Fake Hurricane Sandy photos flew around Twitter and Facebook on Monday, as users shared jaw-dropping images. Unfortunately, the race to post the most striking pics has most folks skipping the all-important fact check.
We've gathered up five "Hurricane Sandy" photographs that have spread on the social web, but weren't actually taken during the massive storm.
Have you spotted a fake photograph? Tell us in the comments below.
1. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Soldiers weather hurricane conditions at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The moving photo purporting to show soldiers standing guard at the Arlington National Cemetery monument during Hurricane Sandy quickly spread on the social web. But the Old Guard pointed out that the photo was actually a shot taken in September.
On Facebook, the group shared a real image taken during the early hours of the storm.
Images courtesy of U.S. Army
2. Statue of Liberty Waves
Is Lady Liberty about to float away?
Not exactly -- the above image is a wallpaper from the film The Day After Tomorrow.
3. Clouds Over Manhattan
Sinister clouds could swallow up the Empire State Building.
Image courtesy of istwitterwrong
Sort of true -- only it happened more than a year ago. The original appeared on the Wall Street Journal in 2011.
Image courtesy of istwitterwrong
4. Clouds Over Lady Liberty
The Statue of Liberty once again looks to be in danger.
The striking image is a Photoshop job, combining a photo of the New York harbor with a 2004 shot taken by photographer Mike Hollingshead.
5. Storm Over George Washington Bridge
Ominous clouds rolling in over the George Washington Bridge look hurricane-level frightening.
Image courtesy of istwitterwrong
Scary, but actually a Getty stock photo from 2009.
6. Flooded McDonald's
Virginia Beach could face a McNugget shortage.
Don't worry -- Ronald McDonald is safe. The above photo is from a 2009 art installation.
7. Shark Swims Through Streets of New Jersey
As if flooding weren't scary enough, according to Twitter, you also have to worry about sharks.
Well, not so much. The rogue shark photo seems to pop up every time a major weather event happens, including in 2011 during Hurricane Irene.