SCAM LIBRARY · PHISHING & LINKS
The fake census / survey call
Scammers call claiming to be from a government census or survey, then ask you for personal details like your Social Security number or bank information.
Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z
How it works
You receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to represent an official government agency or research organization. They sound professional and may reference a real agency name to build trust. They create a sense of urgency or obligation—suggesting you're required to participate or that your response is needed right away—then gradually ask for increasingly sensitive information.
What it can look like
You get a call from someone saying they're conducting a 'mandatory government survey' and need to verify your identity. They ask for your date of birth, then your Social Security number 'to complete the records.' A real government agency would never call you first asking for this information unprompted.
How it unfolds
Scams like this follow a pattern. Knowing the arc helps you notice where you are — and step away before the ask.
Red flags
- An unexpected call claiming to be from a government agency or official survey
- The caller asks for your Social Security number, bank account details, or other sensitive information over the phone
- They create pressure by saying the survey is 'mandatory' or your response is 'required by law'
- They won't provide a clear callback number or agency address you can independently verify
- They get defensive or evasive when you ask questions or say you want to verify their identity first
What to do
- Hang up immediately. Real government agencies do not call you first asking for personal information by phone.
- If you're curious whether a survey is legitimate, end the call and contact the agency directly using a phone number from their official website—not one the caller provides.
- Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
If it already happened
Acting quickly can limit the damage. You are not alone, and it is not your fault.
- Stop all contact with the caller immediately. Do not answer future calls from that number, and do not call them back.
- Contact your bank, credit card company, or financial institution directly using the number on your statement or official website. Tell them what information you shared and ask them to monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
- If you shared your Social Security number or suspect identity theft, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).
- Report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov, include the phone number used, the date and time of the call, and any details you remember about what the caller claimed.
Sources
Guidance on this page draws on public, authoritative consumer-protection resources (verified live 2026-07-10). Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z.
