LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Authorities in southern Maryland are urging residents to ignore and report social media posts falsely claiming that serial killers are in the area.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said the posts, which include fake booking photos, are a hoax. Officials are asking the public not to share the misleading information and instead report such posts to platform administrators for removal.
“If there were any credible public threats, we would inform you immediately,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Stay updated by following our official social media pages.”
The department emphasized that no verified threats exist and encouraged residents with concerns to call the county’s non-emergency line at 301-475-4040.
Authorities across the country have grappled with similar online hoaxes, which can spread quickly and cause unnecessary alarm. Officials stress that verifying information through trusted sources is crucial to preventing misinformation from gaining traction.
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