Sept. 11.(Selling It)(questionable products)(Column)

We've all heard that truth is the first casualty of war. Still, it was surprising how fast the victim expired after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. By the 12th, Internet watchdogs were already warning against online frauds. Soon, gas stations were hiking prices and scam artists were peddling urns supposedly filled with dirt from the World Trade Center site. Such behavior is nothing new: The federal False Claims Act was created to expose Civil War profiteers who promised to sell the Union Army one thing (gunpowder, say) and delivered something else (sand). Can't relate to the 1860s? Change "gunpowder" to "anthrax cures." This special edition of "Selling It" focuses on post-attack marketing that might offend. The mildest pitches tug at the heartstrings; the worst tug at the wallet, using tragedy to turn a profit.

Stars and …