​Beware of Scams
​​

The U.S. Census Bureau will ask some personal questions such as age, sex, and race.  This creates an opportunity for Scam Artists to snare information that can be used in identity theft.

Review these tips so you do not become a victim.

Steps to Protect Yourself from Fraud​

1.   Know how the Census Bureau will request information.

• The only document the Census Bureau will mail to your home is the invitation to participate that is shown on our How to Respond page.  It will have the Bureau's return address of its office in Jefferson, Indiana.  
• The Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation.​
• ​Census-takers may need to come to your home to provide questionnaires or to follow-up on your responses.  The U.S. Commerce Department issues each of them a photo ID that features the agency's official seal and an expiration date.  If you have doubts about the authenticity, call (844) 330-2020.

2.  Know what information the Census Bureau will ask.

• ​How many people are living or staying at this residence?
• What is the name, sex, age, date of birth, Hispanic origin, and race of each resident?
• What is the relationship between each resident to the person in the household completing the survey?
• What is the contact information if additional information is needed?

3.  Know the types of information the Census Bureau will never ask.

• Social Security number
• Bank account or credit card numbers
• Anything on behalf of a political party
• Money or donations
• Information that is a potential answer to website security questions.  (e.g., your mother's maiden name, your high school, the city in which you were married.)​​

Report all suspected fraudulent activity to Census Bureau at  (800) 354-7271.
If you have doubts about someone asking to enter your house,  
​ask them to leave and call 911, if they do not.