If Only The LAPD Had Access To Snopes
Some nitwit there fell for an eight-year-old Internet urban legend. C.J. Lin writes for the Daily News:
An email sent to subscribers of the station's notification service and posted to its Nixle website Friday warned of a possible terrorist threat after $32,000 worth of United Parcel Service uniforms were supposedly bought on eBay in the last month.The message includes a U.S. Department of Homeland Security signature and warns residents to be aware of bogus deliverymen wearing the uniforms who could drop off packages to anyone "with deadly consequences."
Make sure the UPS worker is driving a company vehicle, and ask for valid ID, the warning states.
But the email is an urban myth that has been circulating on the Internet since early 2003, likely born of Sept. 11 fears. And it's one that's been widely debunked by the FBI, UPS, eBay and even Homeland Security itself.
"This urban legend, and a variation with a Department of Homeland Security signature block, are all equally untrue," reads a statement on Homeland Security's webpage dedicated to identifying hoaxes and urban legends involving the agency.
It was unclear how many people the notice was sent to, but West Valley station officials later retracted the warning, acknowledging that it was an Internet myth. They issued an apology more than an hour later after several people called the station questioning the authenticity of the information.
But they also took the opportunity to point out that the warning wasn't all bad.
"However, the advice is good in that you should always verify the delivery service has arrived with their own company vehicle," reads the notice. "Our deepest APOLOGIZES (sic) from the LAPD WVY Area !!!"
I actually had a real UPS man break into my house while I was home, so beware even if they are legitimate. (His excuse before he ran away was, "I thought no one was home)
Cat at May 3, 2011 6:59 AM
I find it humorous how many "official" types fall for urban myths. I'm constantly replying to emails with snopes links. (Although I admit that the word constantly is a huge exaggeration.)
Dangerboy at May 3, 2011 8:02 AM
Our usual UPS guy is also the stone mason that put up a new chimney in my house when we were having work done. We've had beers with the guy, he's a very decent sort. Share's BF's views of the government, hunting, etc., so I'm not in the least worried about him.
Flynne at May 3, 2011 8:16 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/05/if-only-the-lap.html#comment-2099177">comment from FlynneLove that, Flynne. Our regular postman is a great guy. UPS guy in my neighborhood apparently got cut from the NFL draft, and makes up for it by hurling packages over the fence. I don't get deliveries at home, but my neighbors do. When DISH wanted to UPS me a new receiver, I had to tell them not to send it to my home. I'd rather pick it up than have it hurled over the gate onto the pavement and turned into a broken receiver.
Amy Alkon
at May 3, 2011 8:23 AM
I get all kinds of crap emails warning me about plots to rape, maime, mug, and otherwise ruin my day. Also of course the tear jerkers that claim some charity will donate $0.10 to some child's cancer cause if I forward to everyone on my mailing list, of course while reminding me I am a heartless bitch if I don't comply. And lets not forget the lovely emails proclaiming that God is their saviour and if I don't agree I am a heathen. There's so much garbage out there, and I used to gently guide people to snopes, etc. so they could see for themselves that it isn't true. Everybody, without exception has said things like, "snopes is difficult to navigate", or "I would rather fwd it just in case". Now of course the emails have an end line declaring that the story has been verified by Snopes and is true!
Wow. Sorry about that vent.
Meloni at May 3, 2011 11:56 AM
"Now of course the emails have an end line declaring that the story has been verified by Snopes and is true!"... and then you go to Snopes and it's STILL NOT TRUE!
Stupid, paranoid, and lazy. (I can't say it, though, because those emails are usually from my mother-in-law, grandmother, or mother.)
ahw at May 3, 2011 2:32 PM
Who could have guessed Idiocracy was a documentary?
Prunella at May 3, 2011 7:14 PM
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