LOUIS
US fears terrorists stealing official IDs, uniforms.....
Fri Jul 25 15:39:25 2003
208.152.73.189

-------Original Message-------

From: stephfa
Date: Friday, July 25, 2003 08:01:00 AM
To: stephfa@ncix.gov
Subject: POTENTIAL USE OF OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION, UNIFORMS OR VEHICLES

Dear Colleague:

The following information, recently received from the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, is forwarded for your information. It may be further
disseminated without restriction in any manner you chose.

DHS Information Bulletin - "Potential Terrorist Use of
Official Identification, Uniforms or Vehicles" - 23 July 2003

OVERVIEW:

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Information Bulletins are
informational in nature and are designed to provide updates on the training,
tactics, or strategies of terrorists. The following information is meant to
advise the owners and operators of the nation's infrastructures about the
possible use by terrorists of official identification, uniforms, or vehicles
to gain access to sensitive facilities for purposes of planning or carrying
out attacks. (In this Information Bulletin, "official" refers to recognized
implements of federal, state, and local governments and private sector
entities.) While DHS possesses no information indicating an organized effort
by extremist elements in the United States to illegally obtain official
identification, uniforms, or vehicles in furtherance of terrorist
activities, it has identified the recent theft or disappearance of large
numbers of these items. Attempts to acquire official identification,
uniforms, or vehicles would be consistent with the tactics and techniques of
Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups, according to a variety of reporting
sources.

DETAILS:

Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups likely view the theft or other illegal
acquisition of official identification, uniforms, or vehicles as an
effective way to increase access and decrease scrutiny in furtherance of
planning and operations. Although we possess no information that Al-Qaeda or
other terrorist groups are systematically pursuing the illegal acquisition
of the above referenced items, there is indeed precedence for the use of
official identification, uniforms, or vehicles in the execution of terrorist
attacks. Terrorist groups have utilized police or military uniforms to mask
their identities and achieve closer access to their targets without arousing
suspicion. This was illustrated in the December 2002, suicide bombings that
targeted the Chechen Government Headquarters in Groznyy, Russia. Terrorists
in South America, the Philippines and Pakistan have commandeered or stolen
emergency medical services vehicles and uniforms (or cleverly designed
imitations) to facilitate the execution of their attacks on key facilities.

In an effort to understand the extent of official identification, uniform,
and vehicle thefts, DHS recently conducted a survey of selected members of
the law enforcement community in five states. This survey revealed that from
February to May 2003 hundreds of official identification cards, badges,
decals, uniforms, and government license plates were reported stolen or
lost. Additionally, a number of private companies have reported receiving
suspicious inquiries about renting official delivery vehicles and emergency
services representatives have received unusual requests for detailed vehicle
descriptions. There is no historical baseline to compare recent theft or
suspicious inquiry data, and the intent or resolution of many of the thefts
cannot be determined.

The worldwide proliferation of individuals or "companies" that traffic in
high-quality imitations of official identification, uniforms, or vehicles is
a related issue that increases the possibility such items could be used to
facilitate future terrorist attacks and further complicates efforts to
prevent their acquisition. For example, earlier this month the New York City
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force reported that it had
identified a Japanese website selling near exact replicas of badges from law
enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshals Service, and Los
Angeles Police Department.

Several press reports this year have referred to the theft and sale over the
Internet of a large number of United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms. Although
these reports proved to be false, they did bring to the public's attention
the potential security concerns of missing or stolen identification,
uniforms, or vehicles.

DHS reminds all recipients to remain vigilant to the disappearance of, or
unauthorized inquiries regarding, official identification cards, badges,
decals, uniforms, government license plates, and vehicles and establish
practices that account for missing items. DHS encourages recipients to
report suspicious incidents to the proper authorities and to remain vigilant
for any nexus to terrorism

PROTECTIVE MEASURES:

Recognizing that possession of some combination of official identification
cards, badges, decals, uniforms, government license plates, and vehicles
tends to reduce suspicion and might allow an individual or vehicle greater
access to sensitive facilities, the following protective measures are
suggested:

a. Keep comprehensive records of all official identification cards,
badges, decals, uniforms, and license plates distributed, documenting any
anomalies and canceling access to items that are lost or stolen.
b. Practice accountability of all vehicles to include tracking vehicles
that are in service, in repair status, or sent to salvage.(1)
c. Safeguard uniforms, patches, badges, ID cards, and other forms of
official identification to protect against unauthorized access to
facilities, to include stripping all decommissioned vehicles slated for
resale and/or salvage of all agency identifying markings and emergency
warning devices.(2)
d. Check multiple forms of valid identification for each facility
visitor.
e. Verify the legitimate business needs of all approaching vehicles and
personnel.
f.. Improve identification card technology to eliminate reuse or
unauthorized duplication.
g. Alert uniform store vendors of the need to establish and verify the
identities of individuals seeking to purchase uniform articles.(3)
h. Ensure all personnel are provided a security briefing regarding
present and emerging threats.

DHS encourages recipients of this Information Bulletin to report information
concerning suspicious or criminal activity to law enforcement or a DHS watch
office. The DHS Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection watch
offices may be contacted at:

For private citizens and companies Phone: (202) 323-3205,
1-888-585-9078,
Email: nipc.watch@fbi.gov ;
Online: http://www.nipc.gov/incident/cirr.htm
For telecommunications industry Phone: (703) 607-4950
Email: ncs@dhs.gov
For Federal agencies/departments Phone: (888) 282-0870
Email: fedcirc@fedcirc.gov
Online: https://incidentreport.fedcirc.gov

DHS intends to update this Information Bulletin should it receive additional
relevant information, including information provided to it by the user
community. Based on this notification, no change to the Homeland Security
Advisory System level (HSAS) is anticipated; the current HSAS level is
YELLOW.

Footnotes

(1) Maryland Security Intelligence Bureau/Maryland State Police, "Emergency
Services Equipment and the Terrorist Potential," June 20, 2003, Volume 8,
Number 47, p. 2.

(2) Maryland Security Intelligence Bureau/Maryland State Police, "Emergency
Services Equipment and the Terrorist Potential," June 20, 2003, Volume 8,
Number 47, p. 2, 3.

(3) Maryland Security Intelligence Bureau/Maryland State Police, "Emergency
Services Equipment and the Terrorist Potential," June 20, 2003, Volume 8,
Number 47, p. 3.
---------------------------------------

Homeland Security Department Raises Concerns About Missing Uniforms, IDs
Local6.com - 34 KB - Found: 6 hours ago
The Homeland Security Department says hundreds of missing uniforms, I-Ds and badges could fall into the hands of terrorists.
http://www.local6.com/news/2357501/detail.html

(AP) The Homeland Security Department is warning that hundreds of uniforms, IDs and badges have been stolen or lost, and could be dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/25/attack/main565036.shtml 

US fears terrorists stealing official IDs, uniforms for new attacks (10:02 am)
Sun Star - 13 KB - Found: 13 hours ago
WASHINGTON -- Law enforcement agencies in five US states reported the theft or disappearance of hundreds of official uniforms, badges and ID cards in the first half of 2003, prompting federal authorities to warn Thursday that terrorists may be seeking to acquire them for new attacks
 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2003/07/25/us.fears.terrorists.stealing.official.ids.uniforms.for.new.attacks.%2810.02.am%29.html

• Too Many Lost Uniforms & Badges — CBS NEWS, Fri Jul 25 15:46
• Too Many Lost Uniforms and Badges? — Tane, Sat Jul 26 07:00
• Damed if you do, Damed if you don't! — Anonymous, Sat Jul 26 14:40