HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — It's almost time to fill out census reports. Notices about the census went out in the mail Thursday to folks around the country, so you should find a notice in your mailbox about the census soon.
Leaders across the valley want to quell any fears folks may have about completing their census reports and explain exactly what can be expected so you don't have to worry about any potential scams.
Connie Graham, Demographer and Census Liaison for the City of Huntsville, has been busy spreading the word about the upcoming census. The goal in Huntsville is the same for leaders across the valley-- to get everyone to fill out their census reports, which will mean more federal funding for all communities. This time around in Huntsville, they're focusing on how to get accurate numbers in areas that weren't fully accounted for last census.
"We've placed a really big focus on our complete count committees reaching out to those neighborhoods or those communities again-- making sure we put fears to rest or whatever it may be-- or just even if individuals had a difficult time filling out that form-- making someone available to help them," said Graham.
Graham says there weren't any complaints about census scams ten years ago, but this year, they want to explain what folks can expect-- to avoid any potential census scams.
"If you receive anything in the mail or if someone comes to your door or calls asking for your social security number or your credit card number or bank account-- that's a scam," she said.
If that happens, hang up the phone or toss that information in the trash. It doesn't cost anything to complete the census report.
Census takers will go out to homes asking for questions beginning mid-May.
"They'll have to present you with an ID badge that includes their name, photograph and also a Department of Congress watermark," said Graham.
The questions you answer on the form are completely private and cannot be used against you. When listing the number of people in your household, make sure you include everyone.
"If you have a grown child who has come back from college and is living at home temporarily, count them," said Samantha Magnuson, Communications Specialist for the City of Madison. "If you have an infant, count them."
Folks in Huntsville can head to the City of Huntsville's Census website for more information about the census and to request any help with it.
You can complete your census forms over the phone, you can fill out a paper form, or you can do it online.The notices you'll soon receive in the mail will explain how to do that.
If you want to call to verify whether the census communication you receive is genuine, you can also do that by contacting the Census National Processing Office.
