From now until Oct. 18th, you may see census takers out in our communities. It’s a normal part of preparations for the U.S. Constitution enabled 2020 Census. The Census takes place every 10 years. It’s crucial for our state and region to get an accurate count of residents. From distributing federal funds to Congressional representation to designing public safety strategies an accurate census is the backbone of many initiatives and programs.
During the last census, it was estimated Lehigh County was undercounted. This cost our region. Census takers are officials who ensure a more accurate count by verifying addresses, collecting responses, dropping off materials and conducting quality checks.
Participation in the Census is the law. Unfortunately, it also creates a potential opportunity that scammers could take advantage of. Note, there have been no reported instances of census related scams in our area but we still want to take sensible steps so residents are educated. Most importantly, being able to identify a Census worker:
- First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and expiration date. (pictures in the video located in the link below)
- If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 800-923-8282 to speak with a Census Bureau representative.
The video below shows you how including photos of the official badge. Please share.