A hoax on social media has prompted police to issue a warning about “keyboard cowards”.
A Facebook post published earlier this month alerted the Craigieburn community to bogus door-to-door sales people offering water-saving showerheads and energy-efficient light bulbs.
The post said the “sales people” were forcing their way into houses by brandishing a gun and then robbing the residents.
But Craigieburn police’s Acting Senior Sergeant Phil Nash said not one such incident had been reported. He said it was a timely reminder for people to verify what they read on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
“It’s absolute rubbish,” Acting Senior Sergeant Nash said. “It’s damaging and gets people worried. We’re unsure where it came from.” He urged anyone with immediate concerns to call triple-0.
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria area manager Geoff Kloot said anything read on social media should not be taken on face value.
“There is the opportunity for mischief- makers to post stories and it’s almost impossible to know their true identity.”
Mr Kloot said this type of hoax was extreme and appeared to be an isolated case. But, he said, dodgy doorknockers had been around for years.
Last year, “sales people” were circulating in Melbourne’s east offering to lop trees for elderly residents for cash payments.
Consumer Affairs Victoria said it had been contacted by residents alleging they had been intimidated into paying for tree loppers who had damaged property.
