FBI
and DHS issue alert for potential vehicle-borne
attacks
This
is a joint FBI and DHS Information Bulletin.
FBI
and DHS intend to update this Information
Bulletin should they receive additional
relevant information, including information
provided to them by the user community.
Based on this notification, no change
to the Homeland Security Advisory System
(HSAS) level is anticipated; the current
HSAS national threat level is YELLOW-ELEVATED.
The current threat level for the financial
services sectors in New York City, Northern
New Jersey and Washington, DC is ORANGE-HIGH.
FBI
and DHS encourage recipients of this
Information Bulletin to report information
concerning suspicious or criminal activity
to their local FBI Joint Terrorism Task
Force (JTTF) – the FBI regional phone
numbers can be found online at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
– and the Homeland Security Operations
Center (HSOC) or the National Infrastructure
Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element
of the HSOC in support of the private
sector and critical infrastructures.
The HSOC can be reached via telephone
at 202-282-8101 or by email at HSCenter@dhs.gov.
The NICC/HSOC can be reached via telephone
at 202-282-9201 or via email at NICC@dhs.gov.
Each report submitted should include
the date, time, location, type of surveillance,
number of people and type of equipment
used for the activity, the name of the
submitting company and a designated
point of contact (POC).
ATTENTION:
State Homeland Security Advisors, Facility
Security Managers, Emergency Services
Sector, Real Estate ISAC, Highway/Trucking
ISAC, and Car, Truck and Limousine Rental
Companies
OVERVIEW
As
demonstrated by recent attacks in Iraq,
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and elsewhere,
terrorist operatives worldwide continue
to rely on vehicle-borne improvised
explosive devices (VBIEDs) as a method
of attack. This tactic has been used
here in the past, notably in the 1993
World Trade Center and 1995 Oklahoma
City bombings. The World Trade Center
and Oklahoma City attacks were carried
out with rented vehicles, highlighting
the need for awareness among the car,
truck, and limousine rental community
of the potential for vehicle-borne attacks
in the United States.
DETAILS
There
is no standard type of vehicle associated
with VBIEDs. Terrorists appear to select
vehicles based on an assessment of vehicles
common to and available in a region,
vehicles possessing routine access to
the target area or the security posture
of the intended target. Vehicles of
any type or size can be utilized in
vehicle bombings, although the size
of the explosive charge may, to some
degree, dictate the size of the vehicle
required. In the 1993 World Trade Center
attack, approximately 1,200 pounds of
improvised explosives were placed in
a rental van which had been reported
stolen by one of the conspirators. Other
large vehicles—such as limousines—should
also receive consideration as potential
VBIEDs, since limousines have larger
storage capacity than regular passenger
vehicles. In addition, limousines often
convey an impression of authority or
prestige, which may facilitate their
access to specific locations in a building
or facility denied to the general public.
Analysis
of terrorist preparations for past attacks
overseas and in the United States suggests
that preoperational indicators may be
present in the days or weeks prior to
an attack. The following indicators
may point to possible planning to use
rental vehicles in a terrorist attack.
Alone, each indicator can result from
legitimate commercial activity or criminal
activity not related to terrorism; however,
multiple indicators can suggest a terrorist
threat.
Customers
who attempt to give vague or unverifiable
references or employment information
on rental agreements, who insist on
paying in cash and/or who seem overly
concerned about privacy.
Attempts
to expedite collection of deposits made
on rental vehicles reported as "stolen."
Suspicious
inquiries concerning whether vehicles
can be modified to handle heavier loads,
create additional storage areas or increase
fuel capacity or vehicle speed.
Suspicious
inquiries concerning the use of limousines
by private drivers or a limousine’s
exact length, height or interior volume.
Reports
of rental vehicles parked for prolonged
periods of time near sensitive facilities
such as government, military, utility
or other high profile sites.
Suspicious
attempts to gain employment at vehicle
dealerships and/or rental agencies.
Customers
displaying burns or chemical exposure
symptoms who provide vague or illogical
explanations as to the circumstances
surrounding the injuries.
Returned
rental vehicles with altered company
logos, Department of Transportation
numbers, or structural or appearance
modifications.
When reporting suspicious incidents,
car, truck and limousine rental company
employees should provide as much detailed
information as possible on:
- Who:
- Name
- Date
of Birth
- Place
of Birth
- Driver’s
License Number
- Passport
Number
- Description
- Citizenship
- Where:
- Name
of rental facility
- Place
where vehicle was sighted or
parked
- List
various locations if activity
was moving
- When:
Date and time of activity
- What:
Describe the activity, particularly
what made it suspicious
CONCLUSIONS
The
U.S. Government remains concerned
that al-Qaida or other terrorist organizations
are planning to carry out terrorist
attacks in the United States during
the summer and fall 2004 time frame.
Although the FBI and DHS possess no
specific information indicating terrorists
plan to use rental vehicles, rental
company personnel are encouraged to
remain alert for indicators of preoperational
activity and immediately report any
situation that appears to constitute
a terrorist threat to the FBI and
DHS offices listed on the first page.
For
comments or questions related to the
content or dissemination of this Information
Bulletin, please contact the DHS/Information
Analysis and Infrastructure Protection
Directorate’s Requirements Division
at DHS.IAIP@DHS.GOV.
