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A spokesman for the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (May 12) reminded members of the public that the C&SD normally issues a notification letter in advance to individual establishments/households selected for participation in statistical surveys conducted by the department. The notification letter contains detailed information on the objectives of the survey concerned, the information to be collected, the intended purpose of collecting such information and the enquiry telephone number. Enumerators of the department will contact the selected establishments/households to conduct the interviews by field visits or by telephone calls only after the issuance of notification letters. If necessary, individual establishments/households are advised to call the telephone number printed on the notification letters for enquiries.
The spokesman pointed out that the C&SD has recently received a few enquiries from the public stating that they had received suspicious telephone calls by persons who claimed that they were conducting statistical surveys in the name of the C&SD and made requests for the collection of information or opinions on topics unrelated to the work of the department. The C&SD has carried out follow-up investigation and confirmed that the telephone interviews in question were unrelated to any statistical surveys carried out by the department.
The spokesman stressed that the cases have been referred to the Police. Members of the public are reminded to stay on the alert for suspicious callers requesting telephone interviews conducted in the name of the C&SD.
In case of doubt, members of the public are advised to contact the Service Manager (Survey Matters) of the C&SD (Tel: 2882 4620).
Ends/Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:59
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