Hoax Letter of Large Earthquake in SoCal Circulating Online, USGS Warns

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The agency said the letter used an unofficial USGS logo and was sent to residents.

"USGS had no part in this letter or any alleged alert," the agency said on its Facebook page. "USGS does not predict earthquakes."

The letter made the rounds after a magnitude-5.1 earthquake struck La Habra on Friday, and before April Fool's Day.

Special Section: Earthquake Information, Resources for SoCal

The USGS advised residents to check its website for timely, scientific information after a temblor.

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