The U.S. Constitution requires a census to occur every 10 years. The Census Bureau conducts the census, which is intended to count every person living in the United States. The census helps determine how funds and U.S. Representatives will be allocated, and can have a real impact on your community.
The process this year is somewhat different than in the past, with the addition of the ability to complete the census online. Starting in the middle of March this year, the Census Bureau will be mailing out or occasionally hand-delivering 2020 Census invitations. You should receive one by April 1. You can then complete the census online, by phone, or by mail. If you do not respond by May, census takers will come to your door to assist in completing the census to make sure everyone is counted.
Questions include information on the people living in your home and their relationship to you, as well as data such as sex, age, race, and ethnicity. To learn more about what questions will be asked, visit the Census Bureau’s site.
Unfortunately, scammers will likely seek to take advantage of this time and seek to gain money or personal information from you. Keep in mind that census takers must have a photo ID with the U.S. Department of Commerce seal and an expiration date. They can give you a legitimate government phone number for the census regional office for verification. They also will not ask for your full Social Security Number, other account numbers, or solicit money or donations. Remember that caller ID cannot always be trusted, so if you suspect the person calling you is not from the census, you can call the Census Bureau or learn more information about census calls here.
If you suspect census fraud, or have more questions about the census, call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local census representative. You may also visit the Census Bureau’s website at Census.gov.