Lancashire residents warned over bogus census workers
Residents in Lancashire are being urged to be on their guard against bogus census workers who may try to falsely obtain personal details.
Official census workers will be out and about visiting people who have not completed their census form.
The Safer Lancashire Board is advising people that official census workers will always be wearing an Office for National Statistics (ONS) ID badge.
It urged residents not to allow unauthorised people into their homes.
The board is reminding residents that ONS staff will not ask for any personal details such as bank account numbers, national insurance details, or credit card numbers.
Any suspicious visitors should be reported to police.
The warning comes after reports of a bogus census worker in Leicestershire.
County Councillor David Smith, chairman of the Safer Lancashire Partnership, said: "Census staff will be visiting people over the next few weeks to speak to those who have not completed their forms.
"They will make every effort to make sure they are easily identifiable and will not ask questions about bank accounts, or any other confidential data.
"Anyone who is unsure about a census official should either contact the census helpline or the police."