Residents Urged to Stay Cautious Amid Census Impersonation Reports

Published
Residents are being urged toward caution of census-worker impersonators (file photo)

By Shermain Bique-Charles
[email protected]

Residents are being urged to remain vigilant as reports emerge of individuals impersonating census workers. Statchel Edwards, the Director of the National Bureau of Statistics, confirmed that no authorized personnel have been deployed to conduct the Housing and Population Census 2025, which is set to begin next month.

Edwards emphasized, “No enumerators are in the field. There’s no one that’s actually doing census taking at this point in time.” He urged the public to be wary of anyone claiming to be part of the census team at this time.

whatsapp-group-names-for-family-friends (1)

As preparations for the census continue, Edwards assured that once the data collection begins, the public will be properly informed. He mentioned that authorized census workers will be easily identifiable.

What we are ensuring is that once we start data collection activities, we will inform the public of exactly how census workers will be dressed, what will be their procedures, because they will be properly identified. They will have on a vest that says census 2025. They will have an official logo and an official ID,” he stated.

With Census Day approaching on June 25, additional educational drives and public announcements are planned to keep residents informed and ensure a smooth census process. As the National Bureau of Statistics ramps up efforts to engage the community, residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/05/14/residents-urged-to-stay-cautious-amid-census-impersonation-reports. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.

Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (8)

  • Faithful National #1 May 14, 2025, 12:41 PM

    Is Statchel Edwards responding to calls from the public to confirm the scam alerts put out out by private indiduals with questionable agendas? Edwards has done/said no more than I would say to my neighbour: As a precaution exercise all due caution at ALL TIMES. PAY ATTENTION Antiguansband Barbudans! Don’t let desperate-for-trouble UPP operatives distract you. ALWAYS exercise care and caution in everything you do. Don’t become paralyzed by the devil’s scaremongering tactics! If you want to see fear. allow those wicked UPP devil’s to take governance of this country!!!
    Have a blessed and beautiful day!
    Reply
    • Amanda May 14, 2025, 2:13 PM

      Ahhh boi Antigua and Barbuda. And they chose to do that with the official census just around the corner. That kind of deception could create confusion and mistrust. I really hope that the authorities are monitoring the situation closely. We need to ensure that our community is safe, especially during such important events. Stay vigilant, everyone….Itzzz a crazy world we living in
      Reply
    • Rhea May 14, 2025, 2:14 PM

      How do you turn a warning to the public to something political? Make this make a lot of sense to me Faithful National.
      Reply
  • Antigua Surf May 14, 2025, 2:16 PM

    Antiguans don’t miss on an opportunity to fool a person and rob.
    Reply
  • Ben Simmons May 14, 2025, 2:57 PM

    This news is quite alarming. We had that in Antigua before. It is very sad to think that people are impersonating census workers. One came down to our place last year. It’s terrifying how easily someone can take advantage of others’ trust. I hope everyone stays alert and spreads the word to neighbors and friends. We definitely don’t want anyone falling victim to these scams!
    Reply
  • Jules May 14, 2025, 3:20 PM

    Faithful national everything is not politics and we must stop it .we have to look out for one another peace my brother in every country there is always an opposition people back who they want no vexation should be there .
    Reply
  • Juju Bee May 14, 2025, 6:00 PM

    You always have a set of people looking for opportunities to take advantage of others
    Reply
    • Unruly One May 14, 2025, 11:58 PM

      Truth. Just like many of us are working hard there are those who are hardly wordly working and are trying their best to pull a fast one on others.
      Reply

Submit a comment

More from Antigua and Barbuda

View section