Authority - Making up sources

One of the major problems of relying on authorities is the problem of false or made up sources

The Chasam Sofer once had a problem of a local rabbi making claims which he said falsely in the name of the Chasam Sofer

The Chasam Sofer said to him, "I dont care if you cite my views in your name but I do mind if you say your views in my name."

Rav Hillel Zacks (Grandson of Chofets Chaim said most stories about the Chofetz Chaim are not true.

http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2014/06/stories-of-gedolim-are-often-fabricated.html

Rav Moshe complained about things falsely attributed to him. In fact one of the main consequences of my Yad Moshe index was the increased accuracy of citations by Rabbis.

Igros Moshe (OH 4: 31 page 46)

"Many things are said in my name that I didn't say"

The Satmar Rebbe opposed the creation of Chassidic tales to reinforce views of Theology and halacha

As noted elsewhere stories are made up about famous Rabbis to "prove" certain views.

http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-tzadik-is-born-because-of-clothes.html

Pesachim (112a): [R’ Akiva told R’ Shimon bar Yochai]: If you want to be strangled be hanged on a tall tree.

Rashi (Pesachim 112a): Be hanged on a tall tree - ascribe your views to a great authority