Nothing to see here

[jbooma]

nevermind, we have an idiot that runs our terrorist/wmd squad but don't worry we are still protecting you :doh:

[jbooma]

[section 130]

Those sneaky a$$holes will try anything won't they?

[SkinsGuy]

I can't see it.

Whenever someone uses those '

' boxes, all I see is an empty black box on the screen.

Skins Guy

[Blondie]

Question.

How did $32,000 worth of uniforms get on ebay in the first place?

Blondie

[redskns21]

This is a hoax spread via email.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/4/5/221629.shtml

False E-mails Create Terror Fears

Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com

Tuesday, April 6, 2004

Hundreds of false rumors and shake-and-bake urban legends have circled the globe in urgent e-mails since Sept. 11.

The scare-spam – some look like official warnings from the FBI or Homeland Security – have not only provoked unwarranted fear but also tarnished the good name of products and services.

Perhaps you have received the dire warning below in your unsolicited cybermail traffic:

“Please pass this around.

“There has been a huge purchase, $32,000 worth, of United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms on eBay over the last 30 days. This could represent a serious threat as bogus drivers (terrorists) can drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences! If you have ANY questions when a UPS driver appears at your door, they should be able to furnish VALID ID.

“Additionally, if someone in a UPS uniform comes to make a drop off or pick up, make absolutely sure they are driving a UPS truck. UPS doesn't make deliveries or pickups in anything, except a company vehicle. If you have a problem, IMMEDIATELY call your local law enforcement agency right away!

“TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! Tell everyone in your office, your family, your friends, etc. Make people aware so that we can prepare and/or avoid terrorist attacks on our people! Thank you for your time in reviewing this and PLEASE send to EVERYONE on your list, even if they are friend or foe. We should all be aware!”

This contrived scare-mail was “legitimized” with the undersigning by someone who claimed to be an official with the Department of Homeland Security.

The alleged urgency of the warning is belied by the fact that similar delivery uniform myths have been circulating in cyberspace since 9/11 – not to mention that the FBI, the Washington Post, UPS, eBay and Homeland Security have all debunked them.

Nonetheless, it’s proving irresistible for many to hit that “forward” button on their e-mail service, sending such warnings on to perhaps hundreds in their respective address books – the ultimate digital chain letter.

As unsettling as is the image of a terrorist appearing at your door in the guise of a delivery man, other e-mail warnings are the stuff to make the blood run cold.

Not long ago, after 9/11, a vicious strain of rumors appeared – this time about looming germ warfare or biological attacks. Thousands have opened their inboxes to find chilling e-mails warning that sponges soaked with a deadly Ebola-like virus have been put in blue envelopes and mailed to randomly chosen Americans.

Authorities say that such bogus warning is not only false but also harmful.

And then, of course, there have been the ubiquitous warnings about Coke and Pepsi.

According to authorities, there are many versions of the Coke/Pepsi myth, but the basic story goes something like this anecdote of the Good Samaritan terrorist:

A person in a check-out line at a store is behind a person who appears to be from the Middle East. The Middle Eastern person is short when paying for his or her purchase and a kindly person smilingly offers to make up the difference.

Later, the Middle Eastern person comments on the act of kindness and laments that he or she hasn't been treated particularly well since 9/11. In appreciation, the person offers what seems to be insider information – not to drink a certain brand of soft drink, the implication being that the drink is poisoned. The brand of drink varies with the stories but the most commonly mentioned are Pepsi and Coke.

At first, the bogus cut-off date for being able to consume “safe” soft drinks was June 1, 2002. In later e-mail warnings, however, that date drifts backward as the media remain silent about any outbreaks of poisoned pop drinkers.

Then there was the Internet electronic-mail message revolving around an Arab male who warned his wife not to fly on Sept. 11, 2001 and not to go to any shopping mall on Oct. 31, 2001. The e-mail further states that the Arab male disappeared prior to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The FBI investigated the source of this e-mail and determined that the alleged threat – about the future Oct. 31 event – was not credible. Indeed, there were no attacks on U.S. malls on that targeted date or any other date.

Perhaps the real message is to be wary of ostensible messages from grateful terrorists or compassionate Arabs who are moved to offer specific warnings about upcoming attacks.

And purveyors of such e-mails be warned: Sending out an e-mail claiming to represent a federal official or agency is a federal crime

[Zen-like Todd]

booma, no offense, but you are such an easy dupe.

[PCS]

Whoooooooooooops. :doh:

[SkinsGuy]

"And purveyors of such e-mails be warned: Sending out an e-mail claiming to represent a federal official or agency is a federal crime."

Uh-oh, jbooma... you're in trouble now. :laugh:

[jbooma]

Originally posted by redskns56

This is a hoax spread via email.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/4/5/221629.shtml

If this was a hoax then why was it sent to us??

There is more to it and they might be saying it is a hoax so they don't know we are on to them. Or I need to go talk to some of the people that work here :doh:

[jbooma]

Originally posted by Zen-like Todd

booma, no offense, but you are such an easy dupe.

Todd you have no clue what I do, and you don't know how I got this. Now I would be scared if WE are sending this out and it isn't valid :doh:

[Zen-like Todd]

The FBI didn't send it to you.

[jbooma]

Originally posted by Zen-like Todd

The FBI didn't send it to you.

Todd I guess you know because you work here :doh:

And yes they did send it to our agency.

[Zen-like Todd]

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/ups.asp

Not only is it a hoax, its an old hoax.

UPS Rumors Are Uniformly Wrong

By Don Oldenburg

Washington Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, April 8, 2003; Page C10

Should we beware of UPS deliveries? That's what a Maryland reader asked last week after receiving a troubling e-mail supposedly reporting that $32,000 worth of the service's famous brown uniforms were purchased on eBay over the last 30 days.

Circulated in the intelligence, law enforcement and security community since February, various versions of the e-mail have now leaked into public in-boxes and a few online discussion groups. And with the threat of terrorism raising public vigilance, what would otherwise be an innocuous report today raises concerns of al Qaeda operatives impersonating UPS drivers.

"This could represent a serious threat as bogus drivers can drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences," warns the e-mail. It added that two federal law enforcement agencies had verified the report as valid.

But the e-mail apparently is an unsubstantiated rumor or a hoax.

"It's not real," assures the security officer at an Internal Revenue Service branch office who sent it to other security offices. He says he issued a follow-up last Monday clarifying that the UPS scare wasn't factual.

Both agencies named in the e-mail as validating the story deny it and say the UPS tale is unfounded. But they add that intelligence and law enforcement agencies are taking "very seriously" any theft of military or law enforcement uniforms, and a couple of investigations are underway.

"We would be interested or concerned about any activity that could threaten security," says Harold Scott, spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The FBI has debunked several similar UPS stories since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

UPS spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg in Atlanta says the e-mail has been "thoroughly investigated" by the FBI and local law enforcement. "It is the urban legend of missing uniforms," she says.

EBay spokesman Kevin Pursglove also says the UPS story "comes up empty."

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the largest online auction site has barred sales listings of UPS or any other contemporary delivery service uniforms, including airline uniforms.

Rosenberg says UPS requires employees -- even peak-season and temporary workers -- to turn them in when they leave the company. The company has occasionally bought back UPS shirts, trousers and jackets that slip through the cracks and go on sale.

"We carefully guard our uniforms," she says, adding that, coincidentally, for the first time in 41 years, UPS is modernizing its UPS shield logo.

UPS also runs background checks on its delivery personnel. "There is no threat on buildings or people based on deliverers fraudulently wearing UPS uniforms," says Rosenberg.

Anyone suspicious of a UPS driver should ask for his or her UPS identification. "In this time of have heightened awareness," she says, "you can't be too careful."

Follow-Up: Reserve Pay

Last week's column was overly optimistic about the status of a bill before the House of Representatives. The Reservists Pay Security Act of 2003 (HR 217), which would ensure that federal employees in the Reserves or National Guard who are called to active duty would receive the same pay as in their civilian jobs, is stuck in the Committee on Government Reform.

But there's good news: The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs approved a modernized Servicemembers Civil Relief Act bill (HR 100) on Thursday that would strengthen the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act -- including guaranteeing payment of life-insurance premiums on policies up to $250,000.

Got a consumer complaint? Question? E-mail details to oldenburgd@washpost.com or write Don Oldenburg, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

© 2003 The Washington Post Company

[jbooma]

:laugh:

:doh:

This is not a good sign when HS is actually tracking hoaxes

My bad, I was just looking out for all of you. This was an official HS bulletin we got here this morning from the head of our terrorist/wmd squad.

I need to go and knock some sense into people here.

[TheKurp]

Originally posted by jbooma

If this was a hoax then why was it sent to us??

There is more to it and they might be saying it is a hoax so they don't know we are on to them. Or I need to go talk to some of the people that work here :doh:

Rule of thumb Jbooma is to ALWAYS double check the validity of any email sent when said email encourages you to forward it on to people you know. It's a sure-fire recipe for a hoax.

This appeared over a year ago. I guarantee you the source of the email sent to your office wasn't any government agency.

Government refutes e-mail about UPS

Delivery uniforms weren't sold on eBay

By Don Oldenburg

The Washington Post

Should we beware of United Parcel Service deliveries? That's what a reader asked last week after receiving a troubling e-mail supposedly reporting that $32,000 worth of the service's famous brown uniforms were purchased on eBay in the past 30 days.

Circulated in the intelligence, law enforcement and security community since February, versions of the e-mail have now leaked into public in-boxes and a few online discussion groups. With the threat of terrorism raising public vigilance, what would otherwise be an innocuous report today raises concerns of Al Qaeda operatives impersonating UPS drivers.

"This could represent a serious threat as bogus drivers can drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences," warns the e-mail, saying two federal law enforcement agencies had verified the report as valid.

But the e-mail apparently is a rumor or hoax.

"It's not real," said the security officer at an Internal Revenue Service branch office who sent it to other security offices. He says he issued a follow-up clarifying that the UPS scare wasn't factual.

Both agencies named in the e-mail as validating the story deny it and say the UPS tale is unfounded. They say intelligence and law enforcement agencies are taking "very seriously" any theft of military or law enforcement uniforms, and a couple of investigations are under way.

"We would be interested or concerned about any activity that could threaten security," said Harold Scott, spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The FBI has debunked several similar UPS stories since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

UPS spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg in Atlanta said the FBI and local law enforcement have "thoroughly investigated" the e-mail. "It is the urban legend of missing uniforms," she says.

Kevin Pursglove, eBay spokesman, also said the UPS story "comes up empty."

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the largest online auction site has barred listings of UPS or any other contemporary delivery service uniforms, including airline uniforms.

Rosenberg says UPS requires employees, even peak-season and temporary workers, to turn them in when they leave the company. The company has occasionally bought back UPS shirts, trousers and jackets that slip through the cracks and go on sale.

"We carefully guard our uniforms," she said.

UPS also runs background checks on its delivery personnel. "There is no threat on buildings or people based on deliverers fraudulently wearing UPS uniforms," Rosenberg said.

Anyone suspicious of a UPS driver should ask for his or her UPS identification. "In this time of heightened awareness," she said, "you can't be too careful."

[jbooma]

Originally posted by TheKurp

Rule of thumb Jbooma is to ALWAYS double check the validity of any email sent when such email encourages you to forward it on to people you know. It's a sure-fire recipe for a hoax.

Kurp I agree, the issue was this was from the person in charge of our wmd/terrorist group and they didn't check it out. This is the last person I thought would be this dumb because his info goes out to a lot of agents who now want to beat him over the head :doh:

[TheKurp]

Quite frankly, this is akin to yelling "fire" in a public place. It is this kind of abuse that will eventually lead to laws and restrictions regarding Internet usage. There will come a time when it will be extremely difficult, by design, to assume an anonymous identity in cyberspace. That will suck, because it will stifle free speech and the sharing of opinions.

This is not directed at you Jbooma, but to the originators of these hoaxes.

[jbooma]

Originally posted by TheKurp

Quite frankly, this is akin to yelling "fire" in a public place. It is this kind of abuse that will eventually lead to laws and restrictions regarding Internet usage. There will come a time when it will be extremely difficult, by design, to assume an anonymous identity in cyberspace. That will suck, because it will stifle free speech and the sharing of opinions.

This is not directed at you Jbooma, but to the originators of these hoaxes.

You are right. This reminds me of the steroid scandal. We here doing investigations on the internet are always one step behind the hackers we are trying to get. In a way it is sad but there is nothing we can do. We catch them then just give them a salary to switch sides.