GREENSBORO, N.C. — It comes in your mailbox and it's addressed to "resident of...."
Which is why it's no wonder when WFMY News 2 viewer Ruthie got it, she emailed us!
Our verify source: the United States Census Bureau.
In the top part of the Questions Page is this: "The American Community Survey is a legitimate survey conducted by the Census Bureau."
Obviously, they get this question a lot. The explanation goes on to say, "Unlike the 10-year census, every year, the U.S. Census Bureau randomly selects 3.5 million people to fill out the 14-page survey.
As for the question about required by law, the answer is, yes! Not only is it required by the law, you could be fined for not filling it out. (Although we have asked Census Bureau officials in the past if anyone had ever been fined and they told us no).
We can verify, the American Community Survey is a real thing, it's legitimate.
So, if you get one of the surveys, you can do one of four things.
-You can either fill it out or mail it back.
-You can go online to Census.Gov and fill it out there.
-You can call and give your answers by phone
-Or, if you live in a rural area or a group home, you can have a representative with the Census Bureau come where you live and do the interview in person.
The good news is you shouldn't get more than one in a five year period.
If you do, that's your cue to double-check with the Census Bureau to make sure it's legitimate
We all know crooks sometimes use legitimate means to get your information.
If you want to make sure the survey, phone call or visit is not a scam, contact the Census Bureau directly. You can contact them by calling: 1-800-354-7271.