What’s Up With Bogus UPS Deliveries?
A recurring Internet rumor about terrorists who pose as package delivery personnel has resurfaced. The ominous email warning, which has been circulating since 2003, claims someone bought $32,000 worth of UPS uniforms on eBay, an Internet auction site, within the past 30 days.

It goes on to describe the purchase of the uniforms as a ’serious threat, noting that terrorists posing as package delivery drivers could drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences. New Yorkers Joe and Mary Ann Muller forwarded me a copy of the unsolicited message they received, which includes the signature of Kimberly Bush-Carr, who allegedly works for the US Dept. of Homeland Security.

If you find a copy of the email in your inbox, there are several things to consider:

No one by the name of Kimberly Bush-Carr works at Homeland Security and officials say the agency did not originate the warning.

eBay banned the sale of uniforms and identification related to transportation, postal and shipping companies in early 2003. No one has been buying any UPS uniforms–much less thousands of dollars worth of them–on the auction site for a long time.

UPS said federal and local law enforcement agencies have thoroughly investigated the allegations, and found no evidence to support them.

Reality, unfortunately, rarely gets in the way of urban legends, on or off the Internet. UPS drivers say consumers nationwide keep asking about the uniform myth.

If you have concerns about a delivery, you can always ask the driver for ID. If the driver doesn’t have one, then just ask for a pick-up slip–and get the package yourself later in the day at your local UPS center.”

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