Is the Census safe?
What government agencies can access my Census information?
Can U.S. Census Bureau workers share my Census information?
Can my landlord, Child Protective Services, or anyone else get my information?
Will my answers affect my eligibility for government benefits?
I am not in the country legally. Should I take the Census?
Do I need a Social Security number to complete the Census?
How do I avoid scams that use the Census to get my information?
Is it safe to submit my information online to the U.S. Census Bureau?
How long will my information stay private?
Is the Census safe?
YES! Your responses are safe, secure and protected by the law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code). They CANNOT BE SHARED with anyone outside the Census. This includes ICE (immigration), Department of Homeland Security, police, CPS (Child Protective Services), IRS, FBI, your landlord, or anyone else. No one can use your Census answers to reduce your benefits, evict you, deport you, fine you, or take your children. Violators can get up to 5 years in jail and/ or a fine of $250,000.
What government agencies can access my Census information?
Only the U.S. Census Bureau can access your answers, which are safe, secure and protected by the law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code). They CANNOT BE SHARED with anyone outside the Census. This includes ICE (immigration), Department of Homeland Security, IRS, FBI, or anyone else. No one can use your Census answers to reduce your benefits, evict you, deport you, fine you, or take your children. Violators can get up to 5 years in jail and/ or a fine of $250,000.
Can U.S. Census Bureau workers share my Census information?
Absolutely not. Your responses are safe, secure and protected by the law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code). They CANNOT BE SHARED with anyone outside the Census.
Can my landlord, Child Protective Services, or anyone else get my information?
Absolutely not. Your responses are safe, secure and protected by the law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code). They CANNOT BE SHARED with anyone outside the Census.
Will my answers affect my eligibility for government benefits?
Absolutely not. Your answers are confidential and cannot be used to determine your eligibility for government benefits.
I am not in the country legally. Should I take the Census?
YES! By law, the Census cannot report your answers to any immigration authorities, law enforcement, or people in charge of government benefits. Everyone living in the U.S. at the time of the Census should be counted, no matter their citizenship or immigration status.
Do I need a Social Security number to complete the Census?
Absolutely not! The Census Bureau will never ask for your information, including your Social Security number.
How do I avoid scams that use the Census to get my information?
Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be an entity that you trust. Phishing emails often direct you to a website that looks real but is fake—and may be infected with malware.
A key way to identify scam websites is to look at the website address. All valid Census Bureau websites will always have “.gov” at the end. 2020census.gov provides key information about the 2020 Census and how to respond. My2020census.gov is the direct website address you can use to respond to the 2020 Census online. 2020census.gov will also direct you to my2020census.gov to respond.
It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. You won’t receive Census Bureau emails unless you have signed up to receive them. Remember, the Census Bureau will never ask for your information via email. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:
· Your Social Security number
· Your bank account or credit card numbers
· Anything on behalf of a political party
· Money or donations.
In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.
Is it safe to submit my information online to the U.S. Census Bureau?
YES! A key way to identify scam websites is to look at the website address. All valid Census Bureau websites will always have “.gov” at the end. 2020census.gov provides key information about the 2020 Census and how to respond. My2020census.gov is the direct website address you can use to respond to the 2020 Census online. 2020census.gov will also direct you to my2020census.gov to respond.
How long will my information stay private?
Your Census answers cannot be disclosed for 72 years, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, or any other information.
