Reports of unannounced visits raise questions as no decennial census until 2030
Brunswick County, NC — Facebook posts circulating last month in a Brunswick County neighborhood reported that handful of residents in the same neighborhood were approached by individuals claiming to be with the Census Bureau. The encounters raised concerns because the official, nationwide census only occurs once every ten years, and the next one is not scheduled until 2030. Legitimate census activity follows a predictable process that begins with mailed notices, not unexpected door knocks.
The decennial census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and takes place in years ending in zero, with the most recent count conducted in 2020 and the next set for April 1, 2030. During that process, every household receives multiple mailings with instructions to respond online, by phone, or by mail. Only after repeated nonresponse do authorized census takers visit homes. They do not ask for Social Security numbers, bank information, or payments, and they do not need to enter a residence.
Confusion often arises because the Census Bureau also conducts smaller, ongoing surveys – such as the American Community Survey – that are mailed to a limited number of households throughout the year. These surveys may involve follow‑up calls or in‑person visits, but they always begin with mailed materials and are accompanied by clear federal identification. Scammers frequently exploit this lesser‑known process by using vague language like “you were selected for a census survey” to appear legitimate.
Brunswick County residents have reported questionable badges, requesting personal information, and requests to open the door, behaviors that federal and state consumer‑protection agencies identify as red flags. The FCC warns that impostors may pose as canvassers to collect personal information, and the Census Bureau emphasizes that it will never request full Social Security numbers, bank details, or payments. If a household did not receive official mailed materials first, or cannot be verified through the Census Bureau’s regional office, the safest assumption is that the call/door visitor is not legitimate.
Residents are encouraged to verify any supposed Census Bureau worker by viewing their federal photo ID through a window, declining to share sensitive information, and refusing entry into the home. Report all suspicious encounters directly to our Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and to the Census Bureau’s fraud reporting office at www.census.gov/about/regions/atlanta.html
As Brunswick County continues to grow rapidly, newcomers may be especially vulnerable to impersonation scams. Neighborhood – level social media concerns – like those shared last month – highlight how quickly these incidents can spread within a community and why residents should know what legitimate census activity looks like, especially with the next official count still four years away.
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