The U.S. Census Bureau's Trust & Safety Team protected the 2020 Census from misinformation and disinformation. Its No. 1 job was to ensure the 2020 Census was safe and easy.

We continue to watch for misinformation being shared online, and we work to share facts instead to help support communications around the Census Bureau’s commitment to data quality and transparency around these efforts. The team’s role has expanded to also support the American Community Survey (ACS), the Economic Census, and other Census Bureau programs and data products.

Keep Your Data Safe

The Census Bureau is committed to making our programs, quick, safe, easy for all participants.

Please note that the Census Bureau will never ask for your full social security number, bank account number, or passwords.

If you require immediate assistance with verifying a survey is conducted by the Census Bureau, contact the Census Bureau Regional Office for your state or the Customer Service Center for more information.

Learn more about how to report suspected fraud at Avoiding Fraud and Scams.

Learn About Data Privacy

The Census Bureau has a legal duty to protect your information. In fact, every employee is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to keep your information confidential. This means that your private data is protected and cannot be shared with law enforcement or other government agencies.

Learn more about How the Census Bureau Protects Your Data.

Fight Census Rumors

Help the Census Bureau's Trust & Safety team by reporting inaccurate, suspicious, or fraudulent information you read, hear, or spot online, including:

A rumor in a message board or group claiming the information you provided to the Census Bureau will be publicly disclosed.
A suspicious email requesting your Social Security number or bank account information.
An advertisement on social media sharing fake 2020 Census websites and inaccurate information.

No matter what you find, let the Census Bureau know by contacting [email protected]. Then be sure to spread the word to make sure everyone has the right information about the Census Bureau's work and the statistics we produce.