It’s almost time for that once-a-decade tradition of counting every person living in the U.S. also known as the U.S. Census. The official head count has already officially begun in Alaska. In Grand County, census takers will begin visiting homes that receive mail via a Post Office Box (about 95% of our population) as early as March 15 to deliver your ‘invitation to participate’ in the 2020 Census. 

Once you receive your invitation to participate, you can respond by phone, by mail or online anytime before July 31. You do not need to respond via the enumerator. The census taker does not need your social security number, your bank account information or other personal information, only information related to the ten question form is needed. 

In an effort to make sure that census is safe for all participants, the Census Bureau offers these following safety tips to keep in mind:

Avoiding Online Census Scams:

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:

– Your Social Security number

– Your bank account or credit card numbers

– Money or donations

In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.

Staying safe at home:

If someone visits your home to collect a response for the 2020 Census, you can do the following to verify their identity:

– First, check to make sure that 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 (800) 923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.

Reporting Suspected Census Fraud

If you suspect fraud, call (800) 923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative. If it is determined that the visitor who came to your door does not work for the Census Bureau, contact your local police department.