Wandsworth residents warned of doorstep census fraud
Scammers pose as Home Affairs Officers using biometric machines to collect personal data.
Incident β evidence β outcomeA warning has been issued to Wandsworth residents regarding individuals posing as Home Affairs Officers who are calling at homes to collect identification details. These fraudsters claim the data is for an upcoming census and are equipped with official-looking documents, letterheads, laptops, and biometric machines to capture photo and fingerprint data.
Sophisticated Scam Tactics
According to Your Local Safer Neighbourhood Team, the scammers present themselves professionally, using official materials to gain trust. A spokesperson stated, "Please be aware that there is a group of people going door to door pretending to be Home Affairs Officers. They have documents and letterheads from the Home Affairs Department and claim that they need to verify that everyone has a valid ID for the upcoming census. They rob houses. They are everywhere and they look neat."
Action to Take
Residents who believe they have encountered these fraudsters or have been approached by them are advised to contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report the incident online. Alternatively, they can call 101.
Questions this report answers
01What is the nature of the scam targeting Wandsworth residents?
Fraudsters are posing as Home Affairs Officers and visiting homes, claiming to collect identification details for an upcoming census. They use official-looking documents and equipment, including biometric machines, to obtain sensitive personal information like fingerprints and photos.
02What should residents do if approached by these individuals?
If you believe you have been approached by these fraudsters or have identified a scam, you should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online. You can also call 101 to report the suspicious activity.
03How do the fraudsters present themselves?
The scammers are described as appearing neat and professional. They use documents and letterheads that appear to be from the Home Affairs Department, along with laptops and biometric machines, to lend credibility to their false claims about census data collection.
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