Consumer Alert
Is the American Community Survey legit?
Here at the FTC, we always tell people to use caution when someone they don’t know asks them for personal information. So it’s not surprising that people are asking questions about mailings and phone calls they’re getting about the American Community Survey (ACS).
The ACS is a legitimate survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, which is part of the Department of Commerce. Unlike the 10-year Census, this survey runs all year, every year. The survey goes to a random sample of addresses in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Many federal, state, tribal, and local leaders use the answers to update their statistics.
If someone contacts you about the American Community Survey and you want to verify that the visit or phone call is legitimate, simply call your Census regional office.
Here’s how the ACS survey process works:
- Census sends a letter saying that your address was selected for the ACS.
- Most people then get instructions to complete the ACS online. If you don’t complete the survey, Census will send a paper questionnaire in about two weeks.
- If you still haven’t submitted the survey, you may get a call. You also may get a call if you completed the survey, but Census needs to clarify information.
- If Census can’t reach you by phone, they may send someone to your address to complete the process in person. Interviewers may visit or call after normal business hours when it’s more likely you’ll be home. The Census representative must show a photo ID with the U.S. Department of Commerce seal and an expiration date. If you ask, the interviewer will give you a supervisor’s contact information and/or the Census regional office phone number for verification.
For more information, please visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS page.
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In reply to Remember that Census by AkudiROC
Yes, but this doesn't do much to protect the data, as mistakes and hacks can and will happen, especially during a cyber war, as is the case during this writing in April, 2022. If employees have access to the actual data in clear text (not encrypted), then they can be hacked at home or even at work, by simply saving our personal data unencrypted into a secondary file, like a spreadsheet on an employee's computer.
In reply to I did read what was written by JohnG.
In reply to I did read what was written by JohnG.
In reply to Started the survey and it is by SurveyIntrusive
In reply to My household received this by M.A.
In reply to My household received this by M.A.
In reply to My household received this by M.A.
In reply to After receiving and ignoring by M.A.
The US Census Bureau has questions and answers about the American Community Survey. They say that if your address was selected for the American Community Survey, you are legally obligated to answer all the questions, as accurately as you can. The relevant laws are Title 18 U.S.C Section 3571 and Section 3559, which amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221.
In reply to Survey came to a business by Business Address
The US Census Bureau has questions and answers about the American Community Survey. They say that if you have questions about the survey or you prefer to complete the survey by phone, call 1-800-354-7271 at your convenience.
In reply to Why is this "required by law" by VU
The US Census Bureua has questions and answers about the American Community Survey. They say that if your address was selected for the American Community Survey, you are legally obligated to answer all the questions, as accurately as you can. The relevant laws are Title 18 U.S.C Section 3571 and Section 3559, which amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221.
In reply to The US Census Bureua has by FTC Staff
In reply to Are Cences persons allowed to by Jt
If you get a letter about the ACS, it will tell you how to answer the survey online. If you don't answer the survey online, the Census Bureau will send you a letter and a paper questionnaire that you can fill out and mail back.
If you answer the survey online or on paper, the Census worker doesn't need to come to your house.
In reply to If you get a letter about the by FTC Staff