U-Haul, Ryder Trucks Stolen by Terrorists?
Netlore Archive: Oct. 2001 email hoax claims dozens of rental trucks were stolen across the U.S., possibly for use in terrorist plots.
Description: Email hoax
Circulating since:Sep. 2001
Status: False
Example:
Email text contributed by Chris R., Sep. 26, 2001:
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Subject: Fw: War 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 24 hours, more than 30 Ryder, U-Haul, and Verizon trucks have been reported stolen across the country. The U-Haul and Ryder trucks were rented and then never returned, so they're considered stolen. 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 foward 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. |
Analysis: I've labeled this a hoax rather than a rumor because it's full of intentional lies, the most blatant being: "I certainly don't want to scare you."
Fear is precisely what the anonymous author of this message hopes to arouse.
Has there been a recent spike in the number of rental trucks reported missing across the U.S.? No. Both U-Haul and Ryder say non-returns are at normal levels. Have a number of Verizon trucks gone missing? No. The company counted its vehicles and says every single one is accounted for.
Just as major crises seem to bring out the best in some people, they bring out the worst in others. A tremendous amount of misinformation is circulating via email just now, some of it intentionally deceptive and created for no other purpose than to provoke fear. The emailing public should stop to consider that indiscriminately passing along every fear-mongering tidbit of gossip that comes their way may amount to aiding and abetting pranksters and spreading groundless panic.
Instead, pass this along:
Check the facts before you hit the Forward button. If the facts can't be confirmed, ask yourself if you might be doing more harm than good by transmitting unverified information to friends and loved ones. Make this your motto: "Think before you click." It's the responsible thing to do.
Sources and updates:
Internet Hoax: Burden for Terror Investigators
Lexis One, 8 October 2001U-Haul Press Release
17 October 2001: "U-Haul has no missing or stolen equipment related to terrorist activities."Ryder TRS Press Release
12 October 2001: "Ryder TRS has had no incidents of trucks being stolen, hijacked or otherwise tied to terrorist activity."
More on September 11:
9/11 Terror Attack Rumors & Hoaxes
Coverage of rumors associated with the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon
