Census Fraud Alert: What You Should Share and What You Should Never Share
Scammers are misusing the Census 2027 process to trick people into sharing personal and financial details, so citizens must stay alert and share only basic information.
Census 2027 has started across India, and people are either filling in their details online or receiving visits from officials at their homes. However, at the same time, cases of fraud are also increasing.
Scammers are taking advantage of this situation by pretending to be census officials and trying to collect people’s personal information. This is not something new. Similar frauds have already been reported in different parts of the country, and now the census is becoming another excuse for such scams.
During the census, it is safe to share only basic information. This includes details like the number of people in your house, type of house, availability of water and electricity, and basic items like TV, phone or vehicle. These are normal questions asked during the census.
However, there are some important details that you should never share. People must not share their bank account details, Aadhaar or PAN numbers, OTPs or passwords. Real census officials will never ask for such sensitive information. It is also important to remember that the census process is completely free. No payment is required at any stage. If anyone asks for money, it is clearly a fraud.
With the option of self-enumeration, the risk has increased further. Scammers may send fake links on WhatsApp or SMS, create fake websites that look like official government portals, or ask people to download suspicious apps. Citizens should only use the official government website and avoid clicking on any random links.
There have already been warnings and real cases from different parts of India. In Bihar, people received fake census links, and those who entered their details reportedly lost money from their bank accounts. In Jharkhand, authorities have issued alerts warning that scammers may misuse digital self-enumeration through fake links and websites.
In some cases, fraudsters have even visited homes by posing as government officers and collected personal information in the name of surveys. In Visakhapatnam, a couple was cheated of around ?1.5 crore by people pretending to be government authorities. In Bilaspur, a retired professor lost more than ?1 crore in a similar scam where fraudsters slowly gained trust before taking money.
Even though all these cases may not be directly linked to the census, the method used by scammers is very similar.
People are advised to stay alert. If someone comes to your home, always ask for their official ID card. Do not share any financial or sensitive information. Real officials will only ask basic questions, will not ask for documents, and will never ask for money.
If something feels suspicious, stop the interaction immediately and do not share any details. Such incidents can be reported on emergency helpline number 112 or cyber fraud helpline number 1930.
The census is meant to understand the population and living conditions of people. It is not related to your bank account, money or any private financial information. Citizens must stay aware and cautious to avoid falling victim to such frauds.
