HINESVILLE, Ga. (WSAV) - After claims of a serial killer roaming in Hinesville circulated online, the Hinesville Police Department (HPD) said there is no threat.
An account by the name of "Keisha Brandy" posted in a local online sales group that three female officers had been killed by a serial killer, a HPD representative said in a Facebook post.
"This information is completely false and has no basis in reality," HPD said. "Keisha Brandy is a fake account being run by a scammer."
They reminded residents that if there was a serial killer, information and statements would be released by trusted sources.
"We strongly encourage everyone to vet information before sharing posts from unknown sources," HPD said. "Spreading false information can cause unnecessary panic and confusion."
HPD also provided a few tips to detect scam posts:
- Verify the source – Check if the information comes from an official or credible account (e.g., police department, city government, or trusted news outlet).
- Look for poor grammar or spelling – Many scam posts contain multiple errors.
- Be cautious of sensational or exaggerated claims – If it sounds too extreme, it likely isn’t true.
- Search for additional confirmation – If you don’t see the same story on official or reliable sites, it’s likely fake.
- Avoid sharing posts from strangers or unverified profiles