Fake Homeland Security Letter Circulates Among Idaho Businesses

Authorities warn business owners not to share unverified documents claiming to be from the government.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A fake letter claiming to be from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is being shared on social media, instructing Idaho business owners to have their employees 'peacefully surrender' firearms to ICE agents. Fact-checkers have already debunked the document as a hoax, but some local business owners have still shared the content, unaware that it is not authentic.

Why it matters

In a politically charged climate, misinformation and fake documents can spread rapidly on social media, causing unnecessary panic and confusion. Business owners have a responsibility to verify the authenticity of any official-looking correspondence before sharing it with the public.

The details

The fake 'Enhanced Protection Policies for Homeland Security Agents' letter contains misspellings and awkward phrasing, but appears official enough at a glance to be mistaken for a legitimate government directive. The ATF has issued a warning about the hoax letter, encouraging anyone who receives questionable correspondence to verify its authenticity before taking any action.

  • The fake letter is currently being shared on social media by some Twin Falls area business owners.

The players

ATF

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a U.S. federal law enforcement agency, has warned about the fake Homeland Security letter and is encouraging business owners to verify the authenticity of any questionable correspondence.

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What’s next

The ATF has advised business owners to contact them if they receive any suspicious documents claiming to be from the government.

The takeaway

In times of political tension, it is crucial for business owners and the public to be vigilant about verifying the authenticity of any official-looking correspondence before sharing or acting on it, in order to prevent the spread of misinformation and unnecessary panic.