You cannot find the original source.
A screenshot or repost may omit the context you need. Follow the attribution back to the original record. If you cannot locate it, keep that gap visible.
The statistic has no denominator.
Ask “out of how many?” and “compared with what?” Check the population, period, and baseline before repeating a percentage.
The date does not match the claim.
An old announcement may still be accurate as a historical record. It may not establish what is true now. Look for updates and distinguish the publication date from the date of the event.
The framing asks you to react first.
Urgent or emotional language is a reason to slow down. It is not evidence that the underlying claim is wrong. Read the source separately from the headline.
The wording goes further than the evidence.
Words such as “always,” “proves,” and “everyone” make a claim broader. Check whether the source supports those qualifiers or only a narrower statement.
Turn the check into an action.
Record what is missing, find the evidence that could resolve it, and revise the wording where necessary. If a material point remains unsettled, say so. A high-impact decision may need a qualified reviewer.
This is a practical reading checklist, not a validated misinformation detector. Read Verity’s review methodology for the role of sources and uncertainty.