Watch out for scam calls & texts threatening fines over invalid UK Census data

Scam text messages, emails and even phone calls are threatening people in the UK with fines over not completing the UK 2021 census correctly.

IT’S A SCAM

Some examples of fake texts are below –

CENSUS: There is invalid information on your Census account. To avoid a fine, you are required to review your answers at adjust-form.com. Thank you

CENSUS: There is missing information from your Census application. Update your application please visit www.amend-statement.com to avoid £1000 fine.

Census: There’s incorrect information on your census form you are now at risk of a £1000 fine. To avoid this visit: census-invalid-information.com

The Census is a legitimate survey conducted in the UK every 10 years that householders must complete, else potentially be taken to court and subsequently fined. The census is conducted in England and Wales every year ending with a 1, and yes that means 2021.

However scammers are capitalising on the census by emailing, texting and cold calling UK residents informing them that they did not fill out the census, or filled it out incorrectly, and face a large fine.

These are scams aimed at tricking victims into handing over both sensitive personal information and financial details about themselves. These details can then be used by scammers to commit identity theft or to access a victim’s bank account.

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For example, text messages threatening a recipient with a large fines will include a link that leads to a spoof website operated by the scammers. The website may look like an official government website. That spoof website then asks for personal information and bank account details. These details are then sent straight to cyber crooks.

In other similar scams, victims have reported being phone called by someone claiming to represent law enforcement, a local council or the Office for National Statistics claiming the victim is going to be fined, and asking for personal and financial information to process that fine.

Never give up any personal or financial details to unsolicited texts, calls or emails. The UK Census is conducted by the government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS). They will only contact you by letter, and will never send threatening texts or emails, or call you and demand money over the phone. Also remember that you won’t be fined for making innocent mistakes on your census form.

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In the real world…

…If a UK resident does fail to complete the census, they will receive warning letters from the ONS directing them to official government websites, including census.gov.uk and ons.gov.uk. There are also registered Census field operatives that may go door to door, but they will not enter a household nor will they demand money from a person. Continued failure to comply could lead to a person being taken to court.

However until all of that happens, a person will not be told to pay a fine, and if they are, it’s most likely scammers they’re talking to, not legitimate census representatives.

Easy tips to spot these scams –

– Don’t click on links in text messages, social media messages or emails. If you do, check the web address at the top to see if it’s an official government website you’re on.
– Don’t respond to people threatening you with fines over the phone. Just hang up.
– The ONS will communicate with you through letters and registered field operatives, so other communications can be disregarded.
– You won’t be fined for making an innocent mistake on the census form.