Safety is an important component of the Census. Use the resources below to learn about the ways the Census Bureau will protect personal data and how to avoid potential frauds and scams.
Yes, the census is safe! The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to keep responses to the Census confidential. Under this law, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. This means that your private data on the Census is protected and that your answers cannot be used against you by any court or government agency. The answers you provide will be used to produce statistics but individual responses will be kept anonymous. Violating Title 13 is a federal crime and is punishable by prison time and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Visit the Census Bureau's How the Census Bureau Protects Your Data to learn more.
It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the Census nor will the Census ask you for: your social security number, your bank account or credit card numbers, money or donations, or anything on behalf of a political party.
A Census representative might visit your house to collect a response to the 2020 Census. Before answering, verify their identity by making sure they have a valid ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If you still have questions about their identity you can call 844-330-2020 to speak to a Census Bureau representative.
Visit the Census Bureau's Avoiding Fraud and Scams website to learn more.
[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]