2010 Census: Know what to expect!

The 2010 Census is coming.  Your family, like millions, will likely soon receive the 10-question Census short form.  This form will be mailed to you in an envelope labeled “U.S. Census Bureau OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.”  Some of you might receive a longer form from the Census Bureau. The 2010 Census is a major effort to document every person in the United States.  The data collected by the Census will play a key role in future funding for many communities. The California tribal communities and tribal families must be counted to ensure a Native voice in future funding and political affairs.  To this end, CILS encourages all Native peoples living in California to provide their information to the US Census. 

As a legal aid and Indian-led non-profit serving our Native communities since 1967, we know that our communities have concerns regarding the Census and the information collection process.  We have also seen various scams in recent years targeting Native communities, which led us to provide the warnings contained in this article.  The 2010 Census, while a good thing, also brings with it a possibility of potential scams or identity theft.  Soon you may receive the official 2010 US Census form in the mail. You will be asked to fill it in and return it.  If you do not return the form, you may see Census workers coming to your communities wishing to speak with you.  We hope to give you some pointers when filling out the Census form or when talking with anyone claiming to work on the 2010 Census.

What will the Census form ask of me?

w  The number of people living in your home;

w  The name, age, gender, and race/ethnicity of each person living in your home;

w  The address;

w  Whether any person living in your home has also lived elsewhere – such as a college dormitory or military housing or incarcerated in a facility;

w  Whether you own, rent, or occupy without rent the location where you live; and,

w  Your phone number.

How do I identify a Census taker from a possible scammer?

The Census takers will NEVER, under any circumstances, ask to enter your home.  Census takers coming to your neighborhoods will by identified by:

w  Carrying official government badges marked with just their name;

w  Some may carry a “US Census Bureau” bag;

w  You should NOT be shy about asking them for a picture ID from another source confirming their identity;

w  If you have access to a phone, you may want to call the Regional Census Centers to confirm that the person calling themselves a Census taker is, in fact, properly working for the US Census. The phone numbers where you can check are:

o   For Southern California, including Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Orange, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties call: Toll free: (818) 717-6700.

o   For Northern California, including all other counties call: Toll free: (425) 908-3000.

o   Do not feel pressure to answer any questions from a Census taker. They can wait while you have called and verified their identity.

What kind of information will the Census taker ask?

w  The number of people living in your home;

w  The name, age, gender, and race/ethnicity of each person living in your home;

w  The address;

w  Whether any person living in your home has also lived elsewhere – such as a college dormitory or military housing or incarcerated in a facility;

w  Whether you own, rent, or occupy without rent the location where you live; and,

w  Your phone number.

Census takers CANNOT ask you for the following:

w  Social Security Number;

w  Credit card or banking information;

w  Citizenship status;

w  Your email address;

w  Any tax or tax refund information; or,

w  They cannot ask you for donations or bill you for their time.

Other things to be aware of:

w  Question 9 on the Census short form allows you to check a box for Native American ancestry and also provides you with a fill-in-the-blank space for you to list your tribe’s name.  It is important for funding purposes to put your tribe’s name rather than aboriginal name (For example:  Stewart’s Point Rancheria rather than simply Pomo).

w  The Census Bureau will NOT send you an email.  If you receive emails from anyone telling you they are collecting information for the 2010 Census, it is a scam.

w  If someone claims to work for a tribal organization or other “partner” of the Census, you should still ask to see their Census badge, photo ID, and call the Census Regional Centers listed above to verify that they work for the Census Bureau before you reveal any information.

w  All Census takers swear an oath of nondisclosure to keep your personal information confidential and the Census Bureau cannot share your personal information with any other government agency such as the IRS, BIA, or FBI.  Any Census worker breaking their oath is potentially liable for a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.

w  The best way to avoid a visit from a Census taker is to fill out the Census form sent in April 2010 from the US Census Bureau and to mail it back right away!