How the Census Bureau Protects Your Data
Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential and every Census employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life.
This means that the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. In addition, your responses to the Census questionnaire are only used to produce statistics and are kept anonymous. Under Title 13 the responses that you provide to the Census Bureau cannot be used against you by any government agency or court are cannot be released in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.
Learn more about How the Census Bureau Protects Your Data.
Are my answers still protected if I fill out the Census Questionnaire online?
Yes! 2020 is the first time in U.S. history that the Census can be filled out online. The Census Bureau has made security of its Census systems a top priority through IT infrastructure designed to defend against and contain cyberthreats.
Avoiding Fraud and Scams
Although the 2020 Census process is safe and secure, it is important to be vigilant and aware of possible fraud and scams that can occur in person, over the phone and online.
It is important to know how and when the U.S. Census Bureau will contact you about filling out the Census Questionnaire. It is also important to know what types of information the Bureau will not ask you for.
The Census Bureau will not:
• Send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census.
• Ask for your Social Security number.
• Ask for your bank account or credit card numbers.
• Ask for payment or donations.
• Contact you on behalf of a political party.
Learn more about Avoiding Frauds and Scams.