Scams

Feds issue warning over fake government survey scam calls

Giving out your Social Security number or credit card information is a huge no-no and a big red flag. ©Image Credit: Unsplash / Markus Winkler

If you're not on high alert for scams in your everyday life, this is a reminder to be more vigilant. People have reported getting phone calls, letters and in-person visits from impersonators aiming to steal their personal information.

Sounds legit on the surface

The big issue with this Census Bureau scam is that it sounds legitimate at first. While the main national census occurs every 10 years, official representatives also conduct around 3.5 million random household surveys each month. Fraudsters are leveraging these ongoing surveys to trick people into handing over personal information.

One of the most obvious red flags in this scam is being asked for your credit card information or your Social Security number. Representatives at the Census Bureau will never ask for these details.

Generally speaking, if the Census Bureau needs to reach you, they start with a letter in the mail. It will tell you that you've been picked to take part in the survey.

These letters include the instructions you need to do the survey online, and a follow-up letter will be sent if you don't complete the survey within three weeks.

You may occasionally be called on the phone

It's not unheard of to get a call from the Census Bureau to clarify information on your survey, but again, you won't be asked to give personal information like your Social Security number.

If a person shows up at your house claiming to be from the Census Bureau, be sure to ask for photo ID. It needs to include an expiration date and the U.S. Department of Commerce seal.

Better safe than sorry

When in doubt, verify independently. You can confirm any Census representative's credentials by contacting your regional Census office before sharing any personal information.

Source: Scamicide

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