Right. It isn't usually necessary to rule anything out 100%. There's no harm in taking people's word for it so long as the accuracy of the information isn't absolutely crucial to one's safety or to a successful journey.

For instance, I don't know you nor your friend and yet I do not doubt the authenticity of his story. I have no trouble believing such a thing could be true. But neither do I have any problem dismissing it from my mind altogether regardless.

At least until I go there myself... alone, as in all other things  Then I might have some nerves.