Java IO fails to read text file

when I try to read thesaurus.txt, it reads it as "ÿþ ", although the first entry is "<pat>a cappella". What could be causing this?

    File file = new File("thesaurus.txt");
    Scanner scan;
    try {
        scan = new Scanner(file);
    } catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
        scan = null;
    }
    String entry;
    ArrayList<String> thes = new ArrayList<String>();
    while(scan.hasNext())
    {
        entry = scan.nextLine();
        if(entry != "")
        {
             thes.add(entry);
        }
    }
    return thes;