Avoiding Scams, Staying Safe, and Reporting Suspected Fraud
When someone tries to get your information by pretending to be an entity that your trust is called Phishing. This happens by receiving emails that often direct you to a website that looks real but is fake - and may be infected with malware. It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. It is also important to know that the Census Bureau will never ask for the following information:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your bank account or credit card numbers
- Money or donations
If someone visits your home to a collect a response for the 2020 Census, you can do the following to verify their identity:
Ask for a proof of identification and look for the following items to validate it:
- Their photograph
- A U.S. Department of Commerce Watermark
- An expiration date
If after checking their ID you still can’t decide if it is valid or not, you may call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau Representative. Please report to this number as well if you suspect fraud.