Interior Ministry: A fake news story about a "population census" is being spread on social media

Israel's Interior Ministry has warned about a fake news story circulating on social media about an alleged population census. The ministry explained that scammers posing as police officers are collecting personal data and biometric information under the guise of a census. Staff of the Population and Immigration Registration Authority do not approach citizens with such requests and do not come to homes.

Israel's Interior Ministry issued an official warning about a fake news story being spread on social networks about an alleged population census. The ministry explained that scammers posing as police officers claim, under the guise of a census, that they are checking whether people hold valid identity documents and are collecting biometric data. The Interior Ministry stressed that staff of the Population and Immigration Registration Authority do not ask the public to provide personal data and, of course, do not come to clients' homes asking them to fill out forms with personal details. The ministry urged citizens to be vigilant: if someone makes contact on their own initiative and asks for personal data — it is a fake. If someone comes to your doorstep and asks for identifying information — it is fraud.