It would make a huge difference if the OP simply called to be cautious for the given reason. This preserves the status of unknown to the validity of the reported fact without taking position one way or the other.
It is very disapointing that people can't make the difference and I maintain that such behavior is anti-scientific. Claiming the opposit doesn't make your point true.
People who make claims like this fishyness are people who have a very high opinion on their ability to distinguish true from false facts just by guessing. That's monkey science.
