Bristol residents warned to be vigilant for bogus census officials

Police are warning residents to be cautious about callers knocking on doors posing as census collectors.

Trading Standards in Leicestershire, have reported attempts of a bogus caller trying to gain access to property posing as a census official.

Although there have been no reported attempts in the Bristol area, Police are urging residents to be cautious.

Distraction burglary expert, PC Andy Williams said: “In our experience, fraudsters will take advantage of any situation to con people or to access homes to steal, and the opportunity presented by the census is no exception.

“We are urging people to only answer the questions in the census form.

“They should not disclose credit card or bank details and not pay any money to anyone claiming to be from the census.

“Remember if you are not sure, don’t open the door.”

The census is taking place on March 27 2011 and will involve every householder in the country filling out a questionnaire.

Census field staff will be speaking to householders who have not filled in forms but won’t be calling on people before April 09 2011.

A spokesperson for the Office for National Statistics, which is carrying out the census, said: “Residents who return their completed questionnaires promptly are unlikely to be contacted by the census field staff, and all census staff will produce an ID card with a photo and logo.

“They may ask for name and number of residents, but they will not ask for specific details, like credit card details and bank account numbers.

“If you’re unsure about a caller, close the door and ring the census helpline on 0300 0201 101, to verify whether it is a genuine census call.

“If you do think you’ve had a bogus call, ring the Police. If you find that you are a victim of a bogus caller, ring Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506.”