Full Notification

The Monterey Park Police Department recently received information regarding a possible Census Bureau Scam affecting residents in our area. A notice sent out via Facebook and other social media platforms warns residents of “Department of Home Affairs” workers contacting residents and “robbing” homes.

Further investigation has determined the warning notice originated in South Africa and was related to possible home invasions from suspects posing as South African Department of Home Affair workers in that country.

The US Census Bureau has confirmed the notification message did not originate from their agency. The US Census Bureau released this message regarding the hoax.

“This is a hoax that originated overseas.”
“The truth is, census employees are in neighborhoods across the country as they prepare for next year's census. However, census employees are not asking the public for any identification. Furthermore, it should be noted that the United States does not have a Department of Home Affairs.”

For additional information regarding the Census, please refer to:
https://2020census.gov/en.html

To read about Census rumors or hoax information, please refer to:
https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/rumors.html

US Census Bureau release of information reading the “Department of Home Affairs” hoax:
https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/rumors/home-affairs-hoax.html