http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/07/30/rumor-check-is-there-a-500-reward-for-reporting-neighbors-prepper-purchases/
Well, isn't that a relief.
But not for long.
It's a fact that countless innocuous activities are considered "suspicious" by the US Government today:
homeschooling
using cash
possession of a copy of the constitution, or quoting it
possession of firearms
storing extra food
thinking a collapse might happen
etc.
So I wish there was no basis for this story, but unfortunately I must say that there is quite a basis, even if the cherry on top turned out to be fake.
P.S. I think they put out stuff like this periodically just to ___ with us. They want to make us look bad, even though we're only anticipating them by about ONE MOVE.
Say a man named Rob was pilfering all kinds of money from you on a daily basis -- a dollar here, a few dollars there -- and you finally catch on to it. Then one day Rob plays a prank on you, that he stole your life savings. You are obviously inclined to believe it, since Rob has stolen quite a sum from you by this point. But, as a matter of fact, the whole "life savings have been stolen" ploy was indeed a prank. So Rob has a good laugh at your expense as he reveals the truth to you.
But seriously -- is there any reason to make fun of the victim in this situation? Not really. Rob is indeed a thief, and he might eventually steal your life savings -- just not today.