This is a hoax...check messages like this before putting out...
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."
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry Spencer" <bspencer@tsoft.com>
To: <turboesprit@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: <lotus-cars@yahoogroups.com>; <bayareaespritgroup@yahoogroups.com>;
<lotuseuropa@yahoogroups.com>; "Autox" <ba-autox@autox.team.net>;
<kiyoshi.hamai@na.teleatlas.com>; <europa7t@aol.com>; "'John Zender'"
<john@fusiontechnology.com>; "Jesus Villarreal" <Jesvilla@gte.net>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 12:05 PM
Subject: Fw: UPS Alert
> Just received this from a friend and thought I should pass it on.
>
> Thanks
>
> Barry Spencer
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Barry@ADDS BigWheels.net" <addswheels@yahoo.com>
> To: "Matt Walczak" <redwings1114@comcast.net>; "Mike Chang"
> <asa@bestexcompany.com>; "Robert Herrera" <roberth@altuswheels.com>;
"Rory1"
> <sales1@bigwheels.net>; "Sean Miguel" <wheelguruuu@hotmail.com>; "Barry
> Spencer" <bspencer@tsoft.com>; "Chris Blanchard" <chris@tirerack.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 11:35 AM
> Subject: Fwd: UPS Alert
>
>
> > Hi Everyone,
> > Thought you might be interested in this.
> > Barry
> > >
> > > UPS Alert Government Regarding Purchase of UPS
> > > Uniforms & Potential Terrorist Use of
> > > Identification, Uniforms, or Vehicles
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >August 7, 2003
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >There has been a huge purchase, $32,000 worth, of
> > > United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms on E Bay over
> > > the last 30 days. This could represent a serious
> > > threat as bogus drivers can drop off anything to
> > > anyone with deadly consequences! If you have ANY
> > > questions when an UPS driver appears at your door,
> > > they should be able to furnish VALID I.D.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Additionally: if someone in an 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,
> > > family, 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!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Kimberly Bush-Carr
> > > >
> > > >Management Program Specialist
> > > >
> > > >U.S. Department of Homeland Security
> > > >
> > > >Bureau Customs and Border Protection
> > > >
> > > >Washington, DC 20229
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Information Bulletin
> > > >
> > > >Title: Potential Terrorist Use of Official
> > > Identification, Uniforms, or Vehicles
> > > >
> > > >Date: July 22, 2003
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Please find below link to the Department of
> > > Homeland Security website regarding an information
> > > bulletin on the above mentioned title.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Bulletin_Use_of_Official_ID.PDF
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
> > http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
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