Internet Rumors
Rumor on the Draft
An e-mail has been circulating which claims there is a secret attempt to re-instate the military draft and that the Selective Service has received funds for this purpose.
This rumor is false. When Rep. Charlie Rangel and Sen. Fritz Hollings introduced legislation prior to the Iraq War in early 2003 which would have created a military draft for both men and women, both bills were referred to the committees of jurisdiction, as is routine procedure. To quell persistent rumors that a reinstatement of the draft was forthcoming, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly rejected Rep. Rangel’s bill (H.R. 163) by a vote of 402-2 on October 5, 2004. Congressman Todd Platts joined the vast majority of his colleagues in opposing a reinstatement of the draft. The Senate has no plans to take up the Hollings bill. Likewise, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and the President have both stated their opposition to any reinstatement of the draft. For more information, please visit the Selective Service web site.
Rumor on E-mail Surcharges/"Bill 602P"
This rumor is false. There is no such "Bill 602P" before Congress and the United States Postal Service has neither the intention nor the authority to impose a 5-cent surcharge on any e-mail message delivered over the Internet. Not only is there no such legislation, there is no "Congressman Schnell" in the U.S. House of Representatives. Statement by the United States Postal Service.
Rumor on Religious Broadcasting
Rumors have circulated regarding bans on religious programming by the FCC. This rumor is false. Statement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Rumor on Per-Minute Access Charges for Internet Service
Rumors have circulated regarding per-minute access charges, long-distance and otherwise, on consumers' access to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) the FCC. This rumor is false. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Fact Sheet.
Rumor on Social Security Taxes Paid by Members of Congress
A hoax e-mail falsely claiming that Members of Congress do not contribute to Social Security has been circulated on the Internet. This rumor is false.
In 1983, the Social Security Act Amendments was signed into law, providing mandatory Social Security coverage for Members of Congress and the Vice President, as of January 1, 1984. As your representative in the United States House of Representatives, I assure you that I pay Social Security taxes. More information from the Social Security Administration.
Rumor that Immigrants Are Exempt from Income Taxes
This rumor is false. Immigrants are not exempt from federal and state income taxes. For details see the CRS Report Federal Taxation of Aliens Working in the United States, which discusses the tax obligations of all immigrants, including legal permanent residents (LPRs), who are treated the same as U.S. citizens for tax purposes. For further information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning filing tax returns by noncitizens, see IRS Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens; for copies of tax forms with instructions for noncitizens, refer to the IRS's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) under Category 13, Aliens and U.S. Citizens Living Abroad.
Rumor that Immigrants May Obtain Interest-Free Federal Business Loans
Legal aliens are eligible for the 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This is the SBA's largest loan program. However, there are special criteria that aliens must meet to qualify for this loan program, such as the type of visa status possessed (e.g., resident, lawful temporary resident, etc.) in determining the degree of risk relating to the continuity of the applicant's business. Detailed information on visa requirements can be obtained from a local SBA office. For information about aliens qualifying for SBA's largest loan program, see the 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program Web site.
Offline Hoax Perpetrated Against Elderly Americans Regarding Government Refunds
Learn More About Internet Hoaxes
Learn about the risk and cost of hoaxes, how to recognize a hoax, and what to do when you receive a hoax e-mail by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy and the Computer Incident Advisory Capability's Hoaxbusters site.
