Census Scam Warning For South Orange County

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA —South Orange County residents, be advised, some misleading documents may be coming to a mailbox near you, congressman Mike Levin says. The fake U.S. Census documents use terms like the "2020 Congressional District Census" and "do not destroy, official document."

In reality, the mailer was sent by the Republican National Committee to solicit personal information and donations, Levin says.

The United States Census Bureau has no recourse against this type of deceptive practice because they do not own the word census. While anyone can take a "census," or poll, households will not receive the official U.S. Census until March 12, 2020.

"The official 2020 U.S. Census is a critically important endeavor – required by our Constitution – to ensure that every person in the United States is counted," said Levin. "Every response to the official Census can affect how billions of dollars in federal funding are directed toward communities for things like health clinics, schools, and emergency services. The fact that any organization would deceive Americans about this process and undermine the official Census for political gain is disturbing. My office will continue to work with the U.S. Census Bureau to help ensure that the official count is as accurate as possible."

The U.S. Census Bureau has information available to help individuals avoid scams and fraud during the 2020 Census. In addition to the decennial Census, the Census Bureau conducts a variety of surveys throughout the year. More information to help verify those surveys is available here.