[net.rumor] Attention WW II VETERANS

craig@pyuxv.UUCP (08/27/85)

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Tom Hill aka thill@ssc-bee.UUCP posted a false rumor to net.general.
This is posted as a rebuttal and information to others who might be
similarly taken in.

>My dad (a WWII vet) found this item in a journal and asked me to pass it
>along to anyone who may be able to take advantage of it.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>		INSURANCE REFUND FOR W.W.II VETERANS
>
>_Washington-A bill was passed in Congress recently which will give all
>WWII veterans a dividend of $.65 per $1000 of their GI insurance for each
>month of service.  This refund is due regardless of whether or not the 
>insurance is still carried. [etc, etc]

Tom, I'm terribly sorry to be the bearer of the news that you and
your dad have been duped.  You are among a cast of thousands
of fellow suckers.

The VA insurance refund that you described is a cruel hoax.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It is particularly cruel to the VA and the US Postal Service who
must continue to process thousands of letters from veterans who
write to insist they have money due them.  The mail address in
Philadelphia is fictitious and the refund plan is phoney.  Like
so many such hoaxes, some adolescent *jerk* has relied on a chain of
people to spread these outrageous rumors.

The legitimate dividends due veterans with VA life insurance are
mailed out annually without those eligible having to write and
ask.  Those who think that they now have a refund due are wasting
postage on the plan that you described.

Where do these ridiculous rumors get started... and how can they
be made to fade away?

RB Craig
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you may need to learn to like more things.