Fake Census Scam Alert: How Scammers Are Targeting Households in Delhi

The Census-related house-listing exercise, which is part of India’s nationwide data collection process, is currently underway. The process is being undertaken in a phased manner across select regions, including parts of Delhi. As the enumeration activity progresses, concerns have emerged over the circulation of survey-like documents in certain localities.

Notably, this is India’s first fully digital Census exercise, where data collection is being carried out through mobile-based systems. Amid the ongoing survey, reports have emerged of households being handed ‘fake forms’.

Fake Census Forms Reported In Parts of Delhi

Cases have emerged from north-east and east Delhi where some households were allegedly handed printed forms seeking detailed socio-economic information such as housing conditions, family composition, ownership status, drinking water availability, toilets, cooking fuel and electronic devices according to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Given that the census is being conducted digitally, a senior Census official has called the forms ‘fake’ and cautioned residents against sharing personal or sensitive information with unidentified individuals. He clarified that the Census operations which are currently underway are being conducted digitally and no paper forms are being used for collecting data. The official has urged people not to hand over any sensitive details to anyone carrying such documents.

The report further said there are concerns that through such forms, scammers may be attempting to collect personal or household data by misusing the name of the Census exercise. Officials added that genuine Census data collection is being carried out through mobile-based systems operated by enumerators and supervisors.

According to the report, the form circulating in some areas includes columns seeking extensive socio-economic details such as mobile phone ownership, internet access, vehicles and housing facilities.

Official Caution on Census Forms

In order to protect themselves from being scammed, residents have been advised to verify the identity of the person claiming to be associated with the Census exercise. Authorities added that all enumerators and supervisors conducting the Census exercise carry ID cards with QR codes which can be scanned to confirm authenticity, and residents should rely only on verified government communication.

The house-listing exercise, which began on May 16, has started across 250 Municipal Corporations of Delhi wards. Enumerators have reached around 25,000 blocks so far to map structures, assess housing conditions and list assets, with over 50,000 enumerators deployed in the national capital alone.

Census records are strictly confidential under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, and are not open for public inspection or admissible as evidence except under specific legal provisions.

As census data includes sensitive details, there’s a need for verifying any Census-related communication through official channels, as authorities continue to stress that all genuine data collection is being carried out through secure digital systems.