In all you really can't stop rumors, people talk about things regardless if they know the facts or not, the only thing that a person can do is, when it gets back to you make sure you correct what is said and let it be a known fact if they want to know anything about you, you have nothing to hide. Be straight forward, and if they don't respect your answer then don't worry about it, as long as you know the truth don't worry about what people say, people are going to talk. You know the truth about you. They don't feed, cloth or take care of you so the hell with them and there rumors.
I agree with jb185, to help stop a rumor, don't be part of talking about it. Just let it be and it will run it's course but we don't have to add to it by talking about it to other people even if it is to explain all the reasons it is a rumor.
It is quite hard to stop rumors. But to help you can tell people who are spreading them that they are fake and it is very rude to spread. You can also trace back to who started the rumor and talk to them!
People who spreads rumors wants others to go along with them. The Association where I live people here loves to gossip, but I do not conform to their way of thinking. I just stay to myself and people here thinks that I a snob. I do not care at all what they think because I give them no ammo for them to gossip about. If people come up to me and ask me questions because this is what they heard I just ask them "What do you think is the truth?" You see people love to start conflicts because they have a boring life and they feel insecure about themselves and in order for them to feel superior they have to make up lies about other people and pass that around. If they really want to be my friend then all they have to do is just be themselves and stop spreading rumors and be honest.
It is very hard to dispel an unfair and false rumor about yourself. I have never understood how untrue rumors get started in the first place. Perhaps the answer is in psychology. Possibly untrue rumors can be attributed to individuals who lack self-esteem and life-accomplishments. Somehow they think they can appear acceptable on a popularity ladder, by capping someone else down through a false rumor. Its the only way they can feel good about themselves.
The most horrible rumors seldom get back to the victims, such as a FALSE rumor that someone is gay. The victim begins to lose long-time friends and cannot figure it out. Other friends begin to hold the victim at arms length. The rumor flies like pillow feathers released on a windy day. Try to collect all of those feathers, huh! Narrowing down the person who started the rumor and all individuals who heard the false rumor is impossible.
When a false rumor like this circulates and you are fortunate enough to become aware of it, clarify that it is untrue and a very cruel attempt to ruin your reputation. Ask the person who shared the rumor information with you to pass your retort around and have stated, "God help the person who initiated the untrue rumor if you ever find them."
