Census office warns of fake 2026 census website
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department said on Sunday that members of the public should beware of a fraudulent website posing as the 2026 Population Census site, as well as emails and text messages falsely claiming to come from the department. The messages were designed to lure recipients into clicking a hyperlink and entering personal information on the fake site. The department said it has no connection with the website, emails or messages involved and has referred the matter to police for follow-up. It also urged anyone who may already have provided information through the site to contact police.
Key Points
- The warning concerns a fake web address impersonating the 2026 Population Census, promoted through emails and text messages sent in the department’s name.
- The Census and Statistics Department said genuine census calls to households in Hong Kong display the number 18 2026 or 182026.
- Authentic census text messages from the department use the sender name “#C&SD”, which officials said residents can use to check legitimacy.
- The department said it will not ask respondents to submit passwords by phone call, email or text message.
- It also said census exercises do not require households to provide Hong Kong identity card details, bank account information or credit card data.
Why It Matters
The warning gives households practical checks they can use immediately when approached in the name of the 2026 Population Census, especially the official callback number and sender name. It also underlines that personal and financial data should not be handed over through unsolicited links, emails or messages claiming to be census-related.