Reminder: Alarming Census Social Media Message Not for Bermuda

Wed, 2020-01-29

The Bermuda Police Service is aware that an alarming social media message warning residents about a group of individuals pretending to verify data for a Government census, only to steal from homes, is recirculating locally – but is still not relevant for Bermuda.

START OF UNVERIFIED VIRAL MESSAGE

“Hi Security Alert: Be warned, there is a group going to homes and pretending to be officials from home affairs. They have documents with the letterhead Department of Home Affairs and claim to be confirming that everyone has a valid ID for the upcoming census. They are robbing homes. Take note there is no initiative like that from the government. Send this on your neighborhood group chat. They are everywhere and they look presentable. Please alert your family and friends.”

END OF UNVERIFIED VIRAL MESSAGE

This alert has been on social media in various forms for a while now and a recent online report indicated that a similar message was actually meant for residents of another country: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/01/10/its-fake-viral-message-warning-of-robbers-dressed-as-officials-to-check-id-for-ge14/.

Once again, local residents are strongly advised to please think carefully before posting unverified messages on social media.