Scam Alert: Be Wary of Fake Census Letters in Saxony-Anhalt
Stay on guard, residents of Saxony-Anhalt! Scammers have started circulating bogus letters carrying the "Census 2023" logo. As reported by the Halle-based State Statistical Office, these crafty letters are aiming for unsuspecting households, requesting them to disclose sensitive info. But hang tight, folks! Rumor has it that "Census 2023" is just a myth. The actual census isn't due until 2031.
Here's the deal: The legit State Statistical Office never utilizes email addresses tagged with @outlook.com or any other providers. The real deal always features the office's authentic sender info - @stala.mi.sachsen-anhalt.de. So keep your wits about you and don't fall for any jams.
Questionable activities have cropped up of late, involving impersonation of the State Statistical Office to perpetrate criminal activities. Saxony-Anhalt's authorities recommend that residents double-check the origin of any letters linked to "Census 2023" before taking action. Be certain that these correspondences stem from the true State Office for Statistics and Data Processing.
Word on the street is that misleading letters have surfaced in various regions of Saxony-Anhalt, pretending to originate from the State Statistical Office. The cops suggest staying alert against these criminal operations targeting the census process and data privacy invasions.
Quick Tips: To recognize genuine census letters from the phony ones, follow these handy hints:
- Do Your Homework: Investigate the sender to validate their credibility. Legit census letters come from the Federal Statistical Office (Deutsche Bundesamt für Statistik) or the state statistical office (Landesamt für Statistik) of Saxony-Anhalt. Ensure that the return address matches the organization's official address.
- Assess the Seal and Logo: Genuine census letters display the official seal or logo of the statistical office. Watch out for letters devoid of these discerning marks or bearing sloppy prints.
- Pay Attention to Personalization: Authentic census letters should be tailored to you personarly and present your address. Practice caution when encountering letters carrying generic names or suspect addresses.
- Decipher Content and Purpose: The purpose of official census letters is to collect demographic data. Stay alert to letters requesting sensitive financial info, passwords, or personal details.
- Examine Contact Information: Legit census letters usually offer contact details such as a phone number or email address linked to the statistical office. Double-check these elements with authentic contact info sources.
- Timing and Frequency: Census letters usually arrive during specified time frames, like a national census year. Be aware if you receive multiple letters or if the timing seems slightly askew.
- Watch for Warning Signs: Keep an eye out for letters exhibiting signs of danger, such as demands for immediate action, typos, pressure tactics, or requests for sensitive data.
- Verify Online: Consult the official website of the statistical office to confirm census-related information. Search for announcements and FAQs.
- Report Suspicious Activity: In case you suspect foul play, report it to the authorities like the cops and the Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, BSI).
By embracing these safety measures, you can lessen the likelihood of falling prey to the deceptive "Census 2023" cons in Saxony-Anhalt.
