False information about detergent and anthrax

CDC has been contacted about hoax email and Twitter messages stating that detergent packets distributed by a commercial manufacturer were contaminated with the bacterium that causes anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). These rumors are false. For information about anthrax, please see http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/anthrax/.

False information about Lyme Disease

CDC has been alerted to a hoax involving a "Chronic Lyme Challenge" website with false information, including unauthorized use of the CDC logo (the logo was recently removed). This site does not have the support or approval of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For accurate information about Lyme disease, please check http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/.

Fraudulent emails referencing CDC-sponsored State Vaccination Program

CDC has received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) referencing a CDC sponsored State Vaccination Program.

The messages request that users must create a personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile on the cdc.gov website. The message then states that anyone that has reached the age of 18 has to have his/her personal Vaccination Profile on the cdc.gov site.

The CDC has NOT implemented a state vaccination program requiring registration on www.cdc.gov. Users that click on the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system. CDC reminds users to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of a phishing attack:

• Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages.
• Use caution when visiting un-trusted websites.
• Use caution when entering personal information online.