Crime & Safety

E-mail About UPS Uniforms, Terrorists is a Hoax

Rumor has been going around since 2003

An e-mail circulating in the area again claims $32,000 worth of United Parcel Service uniforms were recently purchased for huge prices on eBay, leading to speculation they are being worn by terrorists.

The e-mails look official and usually indicate that a shipment of UPS uniforms disappeared and might have fallen into the hands of the wrong people.

They also talk about people paying outrageously high prices for the uniforms on eBay.

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A few things to consider:

• These e-mails have been circulating since 2003.

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• The online auction site eBay stopped selling UPS uniforms that same year.

• The website snopes.com dubunked the hoax. 

"I've heard of the e-mails, but it was a while ago," Strongsville Detective Lt. John Janowski said.  "I haven't seen any recently."

One version of the official-looking e-mail reads: "Government Warning regarding purchase of UPS uniforms: 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 I.D.

"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, 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!"

Strongsville Patch was forwarded the e-mail by a Strongsville resident.

Janowski said if the e-mails are again making the rounds, no one has reported receiving one yet to Strongsville police.

According to snopes.com, a website that investigates urban legends and other rumors, the hoax may have started when some people apparently did, in fact, pay what seemed like exorbitant prices for UPS uniforms on eBay shortly after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

That led to speculation that terrorists were paying thousands of dollars for the uniforms rather than replicate them, the site says.

The site also says federal authorities investigated the issue and found no evidence that UPS uniforms went missing or that anyone bought them with sinister intentions.


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