Are ISIS terrorists using missing UPS uniforms?

ByCraig Haley

Claims that a shipment of UPS uniforms have been stolen and this has been linked to criminal activity, or even terrorist activity from extremist groups such as ISIS, have been spreading online.

The various rumours assert that a large shipment of UPS uniforms was stolen. Many of these rumours make an obvious implication that such uniforms could be used by criminals or terrorists to pose as couriers for nefarious purposes.

An example of this rumour is below –

Subject: U.S.Department of Homeland Security ALERT !!
U.S.Department of Homeland Security ALERT !!!!!
UPS Uniforms
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!
Kimberly Bush-Carr
Management Program Specialist
U.S.Department of Homeland Security

Variants of this rumour have actually been spreading since 2003, and by now have been thoroughly dismissed by a number of sources. They often gain popularity soon after international terrorist threats or events, first springing up relatively soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York when the potential of further terrorist attacks remained a constant threat in the minds of many. The rumour has since persistently popped up online ever since then, with a recent surge in their popularity following the November 2015 Paris attacks.

There have never been any stolen shipment of UPS uniforms, much less like the one described in the above warning that purportedly comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a warning that is – of course – utterly bogus.


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This isn’t to say that UPS have never had to deal with [more minor] security issues concerning their uniforms, which they have! In the early 2000s a number of uniforms appeared on auction websites like eBay selling for inordinately high prices. Concerned with the security issues that such sales raised, UPS and the authorities investigated. Upon the completion of that investigation, UPS noted that they were satisfied with the outcome.

This security issue was addressed in a distributed email from UPS to all those that enquired – an email that also addressed the rumour as a whole, which was dismissed as “untrue”.

A number of security alerts regarding UPS uniforms recently have been distributed by both private and law enforcement sources. There are two primary versions of these alerts:
1) Misleading reports of a missing shipment of UPS uniforms.
2) Alerts regarding a large number of uniforms being purchased by an individual.
Reports that a shipment of UPS uniforms is missing are simply not true. There is no missing shipment of uniforms.
As for alerts regarding uniforms being purchased by an individual, this matter has been investigated by law enforcement with UPS’ involvement and cooperation and resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.
UPS does not condone the sale or unauthorized use of its uniforms. UPS investigates reports of such unauthorized use but due to security concerns, we are not at the liberty to discuss such matters in any further detail.

Despite the assurance that this was just a hoax, the rumour often rears its ugly head online. These days, the UPS response via their social media channels is to simply tell concerned patrons that the rumour is a hoax and to direct them to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection webpage that debunks the decades old rumour as well

Inevitably in the post-ISIS age, these rumours now specifically mention the Islamic State extremist group operating out of Iraq and Syria. This is the classic evolution you’d expect to see in a well-aged urban legend, one that adapts itself to the “issues of the day” yet simultaneously remains thoroughly baseless.

There are no missing UPS uniforms. There are no individuals selling or buying UPS uniforms at high costs on the Internet and the issue with uniforms appearing online for sale was addressed more than a decade ago.

While many of these warnings may contain a trace of good advice in that it would be prudent for the more security conscious of us to ensure that couriers knocking on our front doors are indeed who they say they, there is absolutely no truth to these alarming warnings, and thus they should not be circulated.

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