Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are emerged technology where vehicles and roadside units (RSUs) communicate with each other. VANETs can be categorized as a subbranch of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). VANETs help to improve traffic efficiency and safety and provide infotainment facility as well. The dissemination of messages must be relayed through nodes in VANETs. However, it is possible that a node may propagate false information in a network due to its malicious behaviour or selfishness. False information in VANETs can change drivers’ behaviour and create disastrous consequences in the network. Therefore, sometimes false safety messages may endanger human life. To avoid any lass, it is more important to detect and avoid false messages. This paper has explained some important algorithms that can detect false messages in VANETs. The categorization of false message detection schemes based on local and cooperative behaviour has been presented in this article. The limitations and consequences of existing schemes as well as future work has been discussed.