Claim: Thirty Ryder, Verizon, and U-Haul trucks have been stolen recently, presumably by terrorists who will use them in the ongoing attack on America.
Status: False.
Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2001]
Hey everybody, Sorry for the mass email, but I got important news tonight. My dad works for FEMA and he's really involved with the goings on in NYC. He told me that within the last Many of them were rented by people of Arab descent. I don't mean to make any assumptions, and I certainly don't want to scare you, but I thought you all might like to know. Be wary of these vehicles, pay attention to them, and don't walk or park near them. He said to stay out of major public places if at all possible (Crossgates, the Pepsi, downtown Albany, etc.) because recreational sites would most likely be hit on weekends. I'm sorry to cause alarm, but he told me it was OK to share this information. If you'd like to forward it to anyone you know, feel free, as there is a possibility it might save lives. I hope everyone is doing well, and give those you love an extra hug. |
Origins: This helpful "heads-up" began circulating on the Internet within days of the horror that was
street?
The anonymity of these vehicles makes them perfect platforms from which to launch an attack. The sight of any of them parked in front of a building would provoke little comment and less suspicion, which makes them ideal mobile sites for detonating bombs in crowded urban areas. Likewise, the appearance of them on the nation's highways would likely pass unnoticed, thus rendering them emminently suitable for transporting terrorists or their weapons from one location to another. The rumor was thus further fed by its plausibility.
Yet there was never anything to it. Spokespeople for all three companies named in the
Barbara "hallowed hauls" Mikkelson
Last updated: 15 April 2008
Sources: