Census bureau scam email
The Census Bureau scam email!
The United States Census Bureau is a legitimate government agency responsible for conducting the official count of the U.S. population every 10 years. However, scammers often try to impersonate the Census Bureau to trick people into revealing sensitive information or sending money.
Here are some common characteristics of Census Bureau scam emails:
- Urgent or threatening tone: Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency by claiming that you need to respond immediately or face penalties.
- Poor grammar and spelling: Legitimate Census Bureau emails are professional and well-written. Scammers may not take the time to proofread their emails.
- Unsolicited emails: The Census Bureau will not contact you via email unless you have specifically opted-in to receive information from them.
- Requests for personal or financial information: The Census Bureau will never ask for your Social Security number, credit card information, or other sensitive data.
- Suspicious links or attachments: Legitimate Census Bureau emails will not contain links or attachments that ask you to download software or provide sensitive information.
What to do if you receive a suspicious Census Bureau email:
- Do not respond: Do not click on any links or attachments, and do not provide any personal or financial information.
- Report the email: Forward the email to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at [email protected] and mark it as "phishing."
- Verify the email: Contact the Census Bureau directly at 202-482-5625 or visit their website at www.census.gov to verify the authenticity of the email.
Remember, the Census Bureau will never ask for your sensitive information or money. If you're unsure about an email, it's always best to err on the side of caution and report it to the authorities.