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Reports that Dollar Tree is closing all of their stores by October 1, 2017, are false. Rumors that the discount store chain was losing too much money because of its “everything’s $1” motto stemmed from a prank news website.
According to Hoax Alert, the fake claim originated on React365, a prank news website that allows users to trick their friends by creating hoaxes. The article, which was allegedly shared more than 24,000 times, claimed that while all stores would be closed by Oct. 1, employees would still be paid until Christmas Eve. It purported:
This is a corporate decision,all employees will be paid their wages until Dec.24th. Spokesman said “we are just losing money too fast by selling so cheap. Read more by clicking the link
The report, however, is entirely fabricated. Dollar Tree has not announced that they are closing. In fact, the company just named a new CEO as part of a merger deal. The “link” referenced in the hoax article is nothing more than a “share” button. The user-generated hoax website clearly states in their disclaimer that their articles are not meant to be taken seriously:
This website is an entertainment website, news are created by users. These are humourous news, fantasy, fictional, that should not be seriously taken or as a source of information.
Hoaxes created on React365 often end up going viral because, when shared on social media, the information looks genuine. Users only need to produce a fake title, write a short description and select an image to create a prank, which is intended to trick family and friends. Stories that sound like they could be true generally attract the most attention.
In 2015, Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar for $8.5 billion. More than 300 Family Dollar stores were sold as part of the merger.
Here are some examples of people sharing the hoax on social media:
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Have you seen the fake story about Dollar Tree closing all of their stores by October 2017 circulating social media? What are your thoughts on prank news websites? Sound off in the comments section below!
Photo credit: Xnatedawgx, Wikimedia Commons
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