Pune Census Officials Issue Urgent Fraud Alert Ahead of State Rollout
With the Maharashtra census exercise set to commence in just ten days, state census authorities in Pune have issued a critical public advisory, explicitly stating that no legitimate census activity will ever require payment of fees, disclosure of bank details, sharing of OTPs, or submission of Aadhaar or PAN card copies. This directive comes amid rising concerns over fraudulent activities reported from other states where census operations are already underway.
Strict Vigilance Ordered Against Fake Enumerators
State census officials have directed all district authorities, including collectors and municipal commissioners, to maintain heightened vigilance and crack down decisively on impersonators. A key instruction mandates that complaints regarding fake enumerators must be promptly registered with the police, with authorities ordered to initiate strict legal action and file First Information Reports (FIRs) upon receiving such complaints.
"Any request for bank details, UPI credentials, OTPs, or copies of Aadhaar or PAN is a clear red flag. Census officials never ask for such details or charge any fees," emphasized a state census official in a statement on Wednesday.
Census Timeline and Official Process
The mammoth exercise will unfold in two distinct phases across Maharashtra:
- Self-Enumeration Phase (May 1 to May 15): Residents will initially provide their household data through official channels.
- House-Listing Visits (May 16 to June 14): Nearly 2.4 lakh government officials will conduct physical verification visits to households.
Officials have confirmed that all genuine enumerators will carry official photo identification and are only tasked with verifying the details submitted during the self-enumeration phase. They are not authorized to collect sensitive documents or payments.
Community Coordination and Public Awareness Crucial
Housing society representatives in Pune have stressed the urgent need for enhanced public awareness and community coordination to thwart fraud attempts. "With the exercise about to begin and reports of such frauds from other states, there needs to be adequate awareness among citizens on what the legitimate census process involves," stated a housing society office-bearer.
Another community representative highlighted a practical safeguard: "Housing societies should be kept in the loop. If managing committees are formally informed about scheduled official visits in advance, it becomes significantly easier to verify the authenticity of enumerators. This community-based verification can effectively prevent misuse."
Common Scam Tactics Identified by Authorities
Authorities have outlined several fraudulent schemes that citizens must be wary of:
- Fake Verification Calls: Scammers claiming census data is incomplete and demanding Aadhaar details or OTPs.
- Phishing Websites/Emails: Links to counterfeit census portals designed to mimic official sites and steal personal data.
- False Door-to-Door Visits: Imposters presenting fake ID cards and asking for photocopies of Aadhaar/PAN or charging Rs 100–500 as "processing fees."
- Fake Mobile Applications: Malicious apps disguised as census tools that gain unauthorized access to phones and sensitive personal information.
Reporting Suspicious Activity
Citizens who encounter suspicious calls, visits, or online requests are urged to report them immediately. Complaints can be filed with the national cyber helpline at 1930 or by contacting the local police station. Proactive reporting is seen as essential to protecting public data and ensuring the integrity of the national census exercise.
