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Warnings of Future Attacks
Rumors and alerts circulating in the wake of the September 11 attacks purporting to contain information about future terrorist attacks.
4th of July Attack on St. Louis
2002 email rumor purported to share FBI evidence that a 4th of July terrorist attack was planned on the city of St. Louis.
June 11 Attack on New York City
Forwarded email claimed evidence, including the advance order of thousands of body bags by the city, that a terrorist attack on New York (or other metropolitan area) was planned for June 6, 2004.
Black Friday Attack on Long Island Malls
Email rumor claimed law enforcement officials had knowledge of a planned terrorist attack on four Long Island malls on Black Friday, November 26, 2004.
Bathroom Terrorism Warning
Viral parody of "friend-of-a-friend" terror warnings claims dangerous alligators will be lurking in toilets everywhere on October 28, 2001.
Blue Envelope / Blue Package Warnings
Circulating via email, urgent warnings about a supposed deadly virus, poison, or other "lethal substance" being delivered to ordinary citizens in blue envelopes or packages.
The Grateful Terrorist
In this urban legend circulating after 9/11, a person identified only as an "Arab" or "Muslim" repays a stranger's kindness by issuing a cryptic warning not to go to a specific place at a specific time (thereby supposedly saving them from a planned terrorist attack).
Halloween 2001 Terrorism Alert
Email rumor circulating in the wake of 9/11 warns of planned terror attacks on shopping malls and commercial jetliners on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2001.
Halloween Candy Warning
Forwarded messages circulating a month after 9/11 warn of suspicious purchases of large amounts of Halloween candy by "Arabic" customers at Costco.
Poisoned Perfume Samples in the Mail
Email alert circulating since Nov. 2001 claims several people died after sniffing free perfume samples they received in the mail, a possible terrorist plot.
Soda Pop Terror Alert
In this version of The Grateful Terrorist, an "Arab" or "Muslim-looking" man repays someone's kindness by warning his benefactor not to drink Coke (or Pepsi, depending on the version) after a certain date.
U-Haul, Ryder Trucks Stolen by Terrorists
Email hoax dating from Oct. 2001 claims dozens of rental trucks have been stolen across the U.S., possibly for use in terrorist attacks against American citizens.
UPS Uniforms Purchased on eBay by Terrorists
Email rumor circulating since 2003 claims a large number of UPS uniforms were mysteriously purchased at inflated prices - possibly by terrorists - on the online auction site eBay.