Stay Safe When You Take the 2020 Census

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April 1, 2020 is Census Day, but census activity is not limited to years ending in 0, and neither is census fraud.

Census scammers may try to contact you by phone, mail, or home visit, or even direct you to phony websites. Along with its once a decade population count, the actual U.S. Census Bureau conducts more than 130 surveys each year. The biggest, the American Community Survey (ACS), is sent yearly to more than 3.5 million homes. With detailed questions about things like income, assets, job status, household amenities, even your commute, the ACS does set off scam suspicions but it is legitimate, and relatively easy to verify.

CENSUS SCAM WARNING SIGNS

You get an email claiming to be from the Census Bureau. For household surveys and the decennial census, the agency usually makes contact by mail. A supposed census agent asks you for money or financial data, such as your bank account number and balance. The Census Bureau will never ask for this information. A supposed census taker threatens you with arrest. Taking part in the census is required by law, but you can’t be imprisoned.

Census fraud can hit at home or at work, (the Census Bureau conducts business related surveys, too). Be especially watchful for impostors in early and mid-spring of 2020, when the actual Census Bureau will be sending out reminders to fill out your form and following up in person at households that do not respond.

STAY SAFE WHILE YOU TAKE THE 2020 CENSUS

No genuine census survey or agent can:
• Ask for your Social Security number, bank, credit card, or account numbers
• Ask when you leave for or return from work
• Ask for money or donations
• Ask for support for a political party
• Threaten jail time

Any of these is a sure sign that a supposed census taker is looking for ways to steal your identity, money or possessions.