Government debunks viral census scam claims
Authorities have stepped in to debunk viral social media warnings alleging fake Home Affairs officials are going door-to-door asking for money and personal data ahead of the upcoming census.
Some viral posts claim people are impersonating officials from the Department of Home Affairs, knocking on doors to request personal information or money.
Viral posts claim people are impersonating officials from the Department of Home Affairs going door-to-door to request personal information or money. Facebook
However, on Friday, the Department of Home Affairs assured Australians that they have had no reports of this actually happening to anyone.
Authorities are urging everyone to remain on alert, never provide financial details or personal documents to anyone at your door, and always demand identification.
While Home Affairs does not conduct door-to-door visits, legitimate field officers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics will be out and about.
Census national spokesperson Emily Walter said officials doing door-to-door visits will be delivering census forms or following up households that might not have responded yet.
“We will never ask for people’s bank details or credit card numbers or passwords,” she said.
All official ABS field officers carry clear identification cards, and legitimate census visits will never cost you a cent.
The census is scheduled for August 11 this year and most households will complete the census online.
This year’s census will also include a new topic for people aged 16 and over on “sexual orientation and gender”.
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