Census Fraud

The Census survey is currently underway with the House Listing and Housing Census being conducted across the country.

While these large‑scale government surveys are crucial for population planning, fraudsters may try to take advantage of the opportunity to target unsuspecting individuals.

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of the Census Scam:

Step 1:

You receive a call, message, or visit from someone posing as a census survey agent, claiming that your details need to be verified or updated.

Step 2:

The fraudster states that your census data is incomplete or incorrectly submitted and must be updated urgently.

Step 3:

You’re then then asked to share personal and sensitive information such as Aadhaar details, bank details, or OTPs—or even pay a “processing fee.”

Step 4:

In some cases, the fraudster may send a suspicious link or asks you to download an app (APK) to “complete the census process.”

Step 5:

Once you share the details or install the app, the fraudster gains access to your personal and financial information.

Step 6:

This information is then misused to carry out unauthorised transactions or identity fraud.

Here are some tips to stay safe:

Census surveys are completely free – any payment request is a red flag.
Always verify the enumerator’s official government ID before sharing any details.
Never share passwords, bank details, or Aadhaar OTPs with anyone.
Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading apps from untrusted sources or messages.

To report a fraud, call 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in

Hausla On, Scam Gone.