With the 2026 Census approaching, government authorities are alerting the public to be cautious of deceptive messages claiming to be official census correspondence. Scammers often use these high-profile national events to trick individuals into providing sensitive personal data, such as financial details or identity documents, under the guise of mandatory participation.

Experts advise that official census communications will never ask for bank account numbers, credit card details, or passwords. Legitimate census materials typically provide clear instructions on how to verify the sender through official government portals. If a communication creates a sense of urgency—such as threatening fines or legal action for failing to respond immediately—it is often a hallmark of a phishing attempt.

To protect against these scams, the public is encouraged to ignore unsolicited links sent via SMS or email. Instead, individuals should navigate directly to the official government census website by typing the address into their browser rather than clicking provided links. If a letter arrives, residents should check for official government branding and contact the census bureau through verified, publicly listed phone numbers if they have any doubts about the document's authenticity. By verifying the source before sharing any information, citizens can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft during the census period.