How the US Census Bureau Contacts NC Households

The Census Bureau conducts multiple programs that collect information from households, businesses, and organizations like local governments. The American Community Survey, for example, is the nation’s premier source of detailed social, economic, housing, and demographic data for local communities. A directory of current surveys is available online.

Most Census Bureau programs contact households or businesses randomly. Rather than collecting information from every member of a group of interest (a “population”), the Census Bureau collects information from smaller subset (a “sample”) selected scientifically. Gathering information from a sample allows the Census Bureau to produce credible estimates more efficiently. Random sampling explains why one house on a street might receive an invitation to participate in a survey while the neighboring house does not.   

Every Census Bureau program is authorized by a specific federal law. Federal law requires the recipients of a survey to participate. In some programs, the Census Bureau will actively contact non-respondents, such as by sending a field representative to visit a home. Sometimes a representative may contact a respondent to request missing or additional information, such as when a Census Bureau representative calls a business from an official call center.  

The exact information requested by a survey depends on the specific program. That said, the Census Bureau will never request the following information:

1. a full Social Security number
2. money or donations
3. any actions on behalf of, or donations to, a political party
4. full bank or credit card account numbers
5. the maiden name of a respondent’s mother. 
    

Yes. Title 13 of the U.S. Code requires the Census Bureau and its employees to maintain the confidentiality of all information shared by respondents; in fact, employees who work with personal information must take a lifetime confidentiality oath. Individual information is not shared with anyone, including other federal or state agencies, nor is it published in any format that could identify an individual. The data is used solely for statistical purposes. Violations of Title 13 carry potential prison sentences of up to five years and/or a fine of as much as $250,000. Additionally, the Census Bureau employs robust statistical safeguards to protect personal data. 

There are several ways to confirm the legitimacy of a survey invitation letter:

• Check the return address. The return address should say “U.S. Census Bureau” or “U.S. Department of Commerce.” Also, most mailings are sent from a processing center in Jeffersonville, IN, although some may originate in Washington, D.C. or a regional office.  
• Check the name of the survey program. Letters from the Census Bureau normally will name a specific survey program. Recipients can check the program’s name against those listed in the Census Bureau’s online directory of current surveys. 
• Contact the Atalanta Regional Office. Invited survey participants in North Carolina can confirm the legitimacy of a letter by calling the Atlanta Regional Office at 1.800.424.6974.
   

Some census programs are conducted entirely by telephone, while others call to follow up on responses or reach nonrespondents. In many cases, the Census Bureau will have sent an invitation letter in advance notifying a household that it might be called. 

For programs involving households, calls originate from centers in Jeffersonville, IN (812.218.3144) or Tucson, AZ (520.798.4152). Official callers will state their names, the name of the survey, and/or the case ID associated with the household.

If you are unsure, note the information provided by the caller, politely decline, and contact the Customer Service Center at 1.800.923.8282 to confirm the call’s validity.  

Some census programs use text messages to contact respondents and direct them to a secure website to complete a survey. No text message will ever request the following information:

1. a full Social Security number 
2. money or donations
3. any actions on behalf of, or donations to, a political party
4.  full bank or credit card account numbers
5. the maiden name of a respondent’s mother.

Survey respondents in North Carolina can confirm the legitimacy of a program by calling the Atlanta Regional Office at 1.800.424.6974, and they can opt out by replying “STOP.”
 

Some census programs use email to contact respondents and direct them to a secure website to complete a survey. No email will ever request the following information:

1. a full Social Security number 
2. money or donations
3. any actions on behalf of, or donations to, a political party
4.  full bank or credit card account numbers
5. the maiden name of a respondent’s mother.

All emails sent by the Census Bureau are sent from the @census.gov domain, and the name of the person sending the email can be checked against the Census Bureau’s online staff directory. Potential survey respondents in North Carolina also can confirm the legitimacy of a program by calling the Atlanta Regional Office at 1.800.424.6974.

Field representatives often visit homes, typically as a last step for invited households that have not yet responded by mail, internet, or phone. Typically, field representatives only visit homes that received previously an invitation letter notifying them that they might be visited. Field representatives generally work between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm (local time) and will have an official bag and electronic device (tablet, smartphone, etc.) with the Census Bureau’s logo. They also will have an ID badge showing their name, their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. 

If you are unsure, note the information provided by the field representative (especially their name), politely decline, and then check the person’s name against the Census Bureau’s online staff directory or by calling the Atlanta Regional Office at 1.800.424.6974.
 

The Census Bureau’s Respondent Advocate helps individuals who have issues with a survey they received, concerns regarding interactions with Census Bureau representatives, or suggestions for improving survey programs. Households can reach the Respondent Advocate at respondent-advocate@census.gov or 1.888.609.0563.