Census Related Fraud

The U.S. Census Bureau collects data about the people and economy of the United States. It collects personal and demographic information from people and businesses.

Some scam artists may pretend to be work for the Census Bureau. They'll try to collect your personal information to use for fraud or to steal your identity. These scam artists may send you letters that seem to come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Others may come to your home to collect information about you.

Report Census Related Fraud

If you suspect fraud, report it to the Census Bureau’s regional office for your state. Forward scam emails to the Census Bureau at ois.fraud.reporting@census.gov.

How to Protect Yourself

Follow these tips to ensure that your personal information stays safe:

Do

• Verify that the study is legitimate. Check the survey name on the Census Bureau's list of surveys .

• If someone comes to your home and claims to be a census worker, verify that they work for the Census Bureau.

• Look up the employee's name in the Census staff directory.

• Ask to see their badge. A Census Bureau badge has a picture of the field agent, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.

• Follow these tips to help you spot census scams, so you don’t become a victim.

Don’t

• Don’t share your full Social Security number, bank or credit card account numbers, or your mother’s maiden name. The Census Bureau won't ask for this type of information.

• Don't trust emails from claiming to be from the Census Bureau. This agency sends letters to invite individuals to take part in its surveys. If you get an email from the Census Bureau, it's probably a scam.

• Don't trust caller ID. Call the Census Bureau’s National Processing Center to verify a telephone survey.