Residents are being warned to beware of fraudsters potentially posing as government officials and claiming to want census details.

The Department of Statistics confirmed it was aware of “a message circulating on social media, and through community networks, alleging that individuals are posing as government officials”.

They were said to be “conducting door-to-door visits to collect personal information, photographs and fingerprints under the pretext of verifying identification for the census”.

The department said the scenario described did not match legitimate census fieldwork.

A spokesman added: “Census interviewers are authorised representatives of the Department of Statistics, not internal affairs employees, and their visits are solely to assist households in completing any outstanding census questionnaires.

“The department emphasises that no census initiative requires residents to provide fingerprints, have their photographs taken or undergo biometric registration. Census interviewers will not ask residents to participate in any such process.

“To help residents identify legitimate census interviewers, all interviewers will carry department-issued photo identification cards and an official letter of authenticity.

“Residents who have concerns about the identity of someone claiming to be a census interviewer are encouraged to contact the Department of Statistics directly at 297-7761 or census@gov.bm to confirm their credentials.

“The department encourages members of the public not to share information with unverified individuals and to direct any questions or concerns about census visits to the department.”