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State Data Center Offers Census Safety Tips

For Immediate Release: November 06, 2009

November 6, 2009 -- To protect Oklahomans and prevent fraud associated with the 2010 U.S. Census, the State Data Center has several ideas to ensure citizens are not involved in a false census scenario. State Data Center Program Manager Steve Barker said the following Census safety tips can help stop those pretending to represent the U.S. Census Bureau. 

1. The Census Bureau does NOT conduct the 2010 Census via email or the internet. If you think you are the victim of a phishing or email scam from someone falsely representing the Census Bureau, forward the email or website URL to the Census Bureau at itso.fraud.reporting@census.gov then delete the original email from your computer. 
 

2. The Census Bureau does NOT request credit card numbers, bank account numbers, PIN numbers, or passwords. While various surveys do ask questions about income sources, income amounts, household or business expenses, and other financial topics, the Bureau will never ask for account numbers or access codes.
 

3. You can confirm that a person really does work for the US Census Bureau. If someone identifies himself or herself as a Census Bureau employee, you can verify that information by contacting the National Processing Center at 1-866-226-2864. 
 

4. The Census Bureau offers advice on how to confirm a survey is legitimate. If you have questions about a survey received in the mail, you can consult the Census Bureau’s Are You In a Survey? page found at http://www.census.gov/survey_participants/ or call the National Processing Center at 1-866-226-2864 for assistance.
 

5. You can find out what Census activities are currently taking place in your local area. If you have questions about address canvassing or public outreach activities taking place in your local area or coming up in the near future, contact the Tulsa Local Census Office at 918-877-3440 or the Oklahoma City Local Census Office at 405-254-9140.