Wednesday, April 29, 2009

E-mail hoax

We've received some inquiries about the below e-mail going around, and we want to assure everyone that it is a hoax. We have no record of this happening to anyone anywhere around here. The e-mail subject line is typically something like "safety alert per Kansas City Police Department" or "new way to be carjacked." The KCPD did not issue any such warning to anyone in a newsletter or any other form of communication. We always encourage everyone to be safe by being aware of what's around them at all times, but this particular method of criminal behavior has not been reported, so the public should not be alarmed. Here's what one version of the e-mail says:

"Warning..!!!! Warning..!!!! Warning..!!!!
Just last weekend on Friday night we parked in a public parking area. As we drove away I noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. When I took it off after I got home, it was a receipt for gas. Luckily my friend told me not to stop as it could be someone waiting for me to get out of the car Then we received this email yesterday (per KCPD newsletter)
WARNING FROM POLICE THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN
BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--
NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS (NOT A JOKE)'

Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating.... You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised!

BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.

If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this e-mail. I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women. A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong hands.

Again, this is not true, so if the e-mail has come your way, disregard it.

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