UPDATED: LAPD Retracts Alert || Homeland Security and LAPD Alert: UPS Imposters May Be Knocking at Your Door

Update 3:45 p.m. The West Valley LAPD acknowledged, retracted and apologized Friday afternoon for redistributing a hoax warning, purportedly from Homeland Security, alerting citizens to bogus UPS drivers who might be terrorists.

The retraction:

Hi Dennis Wilen,

Community Message has been issued by the LAPD - West Valley.

Friday April 29, 2011 3:25 PM PDT

UPS Uniforms *** UPDATE ***

Unfortunately the info re: UPS Uniforms came from another Law Enforcement Agency in the State of California purporting the validity of the information. This "INFO" is, apparently an Internet myth.

However, the advice is good in that you should always verify the delivery service has arrived with their own company vehicle.

Our deepest APOLOGIZES from the LAPD WVY Area !!!

For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4685249/?sub_id=434590.

Contact Information:
Rudolph Valadez
West Valley Area
818-374-7630 31197@lapd.lacity.org

--

Update 3 p.m.: Apparently the LAPD West Valley has redistributed a long-circulating Internet hoax described in the Washington Post in 2003 and Internet mythbusting sites like Snopes.com  We're calling the LAPD for a response. ||

Be extra careful when opening the door to someone claiming to represent UPS, national and local security officials warned Friday.

The alert follows suspicious activity on the eBay auction site, according to DHS.

LAPD (West Valley) forwarded this message from the Department of Homeland Security.

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!