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Beware of Bogus Census Officers Bear in Mind You Aren’t Required to Provide Sensitive Information Such as ID Card Numbers
2026-01-12

Beware of Bogus Census Officers Bear in Mind You Aren’t Required to Provide Sensitive Information Such as ID Card Numbers

The 2026 Population Census takes place throughout this year, from this month to end-December.  Recently, some members of the public encountered scammers impersonating census officers to conduct home visits.  The scammers asked for personal data and even demanded the production of identity cards.  They tried to mislead you by wearing grey vests, and carrying counterfeit staff IDs and tablets.

 

The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre Reminds the Public:

  • Census respondents are not required to provide sensitive information such as identity card numbers, and information on assets, credit cards or bank accounts;

  • The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) will send notification letters before conducting face-to-face interviews.  If you do not receive any notification letter but someone claiming that they are census officers visits your premises, please be extremely vigilant;

  • Real census officers will wear grey vest uniforms with C&SD logos, and carry Enumerator Identity Cards and Certificates of Identity issued by the C&SD for inspection;

  • Households should check the identities of census officers before admitting them to your premises for interview.

  • In case of doubt, please call the Census Hotline 18 2026 immediately to verify the identities of census officers;

  • If a household has not responded to the survey or contacted the C&SD by any means, the C&SD will not initiate calls, send emails or SMSs to the household.  Only the number 18 2026 will be displayed when census officers call the household in Hong Kong for follow-up;

  • If you suspect that you have encountered scams, please call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” (24-hour service) immediately for help.

  • Website of 2026 Population Census: https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_2602.html