Blog: Beware the Sticker On Your Car!
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Beware the Sticker On Your Car! - Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A friend just sent me this FW: FW: Fwd: FW: lol Fwd: WARNING FROM POLICE OMGZORS!! (my emphasis added) letter. It definitely has all the markings of a hoax chain letter, including sketchy details, poor punctuation, failure to mention any particular police department or cities, no citation of a credible source, and repeated urgings for the reader to propagate the letter on to everybody they know.
But for some reason, I found the method described interesting, and it definitely could really happen. So here is the letter in its unedited entirety, for those inclined:
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:
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!
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.
After a short chuckle, I think at the very least we can be reminded to mind our surroundings, especially in dimly-lit places. If anything seems out of place (like a piece of paper that just happened to get stuck to your rear window), be safe and drive away (except a couple of you I know who'd be eager to take on a few muggers- you know who you are!). In fact, it might be risky to get in your car in the first place if there are muggers hiding close by. Point is, mind your surroundings, and use your judgment. And if you really DO need to get out of your car, even for seemingly only a few seconds, don't leave the keys in the ignition!
But for some reason, I found the method described interesting, and it definitely could really happen. So here is the letter in its unedited entirety, for those inclined:
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:
'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.
Please keep this going and tell all your friends
After a short chuckle, I think at the very least we can be reminded to mind our surroundings, especially in dimly-lit places. If anything seems out of place (like a piece of paper that just happened to get stuck to your rear window), be safe and drive away (except a couple of you I know who'd be eager to take on a few muggers- you know who you are!). In fact, it might be risky to get in your car in the first place if there are muggers hiding close by. Point is, mind your surroundings, and use your judgment. And if you really DO need to get out of your car, even for seemingly only a few seconds, don't leave the keys in the ignition!