Thursday, January 14, 2010

Free flights to Haiti were only rumors and a big hoax on Twitter and Facebook.

CNN reported that the American Airlines rumor on Twitter is untrue. Well the rumor goes like this " American Airlines is taking doctors and nurses to Haiti for free. Please call.......". This has been denied by CNN and

"Last night's hoax on Twitter about American and JetBlue flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free was just that -- a hoax. We don't know who is responsible, but it's a very low thing to do," airline spokesman Tim Smith said in e-mails sent Thursday.


Twitter users also circulated a rumor that UPS would ship for free any package under 50 lbs. to Haiti. In a blog post Wednesday on UPS's Web site, a spokeswoman debunked the rumor and said that destruction of Haiti's roads and communications networks "means our own shipping services to Haiti are on hold."


UPS is donating $1 million to help the people of Haiti through relief agencies, she said.




This rumor spreading on Facebook is also untue




"UPS is shipping anything under 50lbs for free to Haiti. You can send food, clothes or shoes... and American Airlines is taking doctors and nurses to Haiti for free. Please call 212-697-9767. Spread the word... Red Cross needs Creole speaking volunteers for a 24hr phone bank... Call Mr. Wilfrid @ 303-776-6900 ASAP... Please repost."




Also, the FBI warns Internet users who receive requests for charitable donations on behalf of earthquake victims to "apply a critical eye and do their due diligence" before responding. "Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause."




An original post by

Sociolatte



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