The public was today warned not be fooled by two e-mails that claim to be sent from a government department and a US health authority.

The first e-mail, sent from aefoggo@northrock.bm and which claimed to be from the Department of Financial Assistance, asked recipients to click on a link to an application tutorial on “New Grant – Bermuda Government”.

The e-mail said: “The Department of Financial Assistance offers assistance to Bermuda communities.

“The application is easier. Stressed or Struggling? You Can receive Funds As Soon as Tomorrow.”

A second e-mail, from luciabotelho1@northrock.bm was claimed to be from the US Centres for Disease Control, read: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with the government requires an immediate validation of your Covid-19 status.

“This is a Waiver Validation Update and a compulsory one-time validation for all residents

“Please follow reference below to validate your Covid-19 status.”

The Royal Gazette forwarded the e-mails on to Government.

A spokesman for the labour ministry confirmed that the e-mails were “fake” and that recipients should delete them.

The spokesman said: “As a reminder, the Department of Financial Assistance does not notify individuals by e-mail and there is no online process for applications at this time.

“With regard to matters relating to Covid-19, all official e-mails come from the Covid-19 response team at BermudaCovidVaccine@resqwest.com.”

The spokesman said people could also contact the vaccine hotline on 444-2498 or e-mail vaccinecertificates@gov.bm.

For more information on how to avoid internet scams and fake e-mails, visit https://www.gov.bm/how-avoid-and-report-scams.