Ask the Answer Person: What advice can you give to Winneshiek County residents to avoid being tricked by fake census forms?

A reader e-mails: "Fake census forms have fooled vulnerable Winneshiek County residents.  What advice can you give to keep people from getting tricked?"

The Answer Person says: "The U.S. Census Bureau says if you receive a survey or a letter in the mail from the Census Bureau, the envelope contains information that will help you verify its legitimacy. For example. It will say "U.S. Census Bureau" in the return address or "U.S. Department of Commerce" which is the Census Bureau's parent agency.  Jeffersonville, IN will appear in the return address because the Census Bureau has a mail processing center located there.  Households will receive an invitation in the mail to complete the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.  The enclosed envelope to mail back a completed paper questionnaire would be addressed to Jeffersonville, IN, or Phoenix, AZ."