St. Thomas, V.I. – Atty General Denise George reminds residents that the 2020 Census of the United States Virgin Islands will begin in February 2020. Census workers will walk neighborhoods to list all living quarters (e.g., housing units, group quarters and transitory locations such as marinas). They will conduct 2020 Census in-person interviews at all living quarters between March and July 2020.
The U.S. constitution mandates that a census be taken every 10 years to count all people-citizens and noncitizens-living in the United States. It counts the population in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories (The Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam).
The results of the Census benefits policymakers with detailed population information that is necessary for businesses, researchers and communities. This data provides population data that can assist in times of disaster for emergency response and assist in the determination of funds that state government and local communities receive from the federal government for the next decade. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau can only use your responses to produce statistics.
According to Tomas Encarnacion, Ph.D, the 2020 Census Advisor to the USVI, between March and July 2020, a Census worker will contact your home or living quarter for you to complete the 2020 Census in person. In the U.S. residents can complete the census via online, by phone, or by mail as an option. However, in the Virgin Islands, 2020 Census workers will visit your home to complete the questionnaire in person.
V.I. Attorney General Denise George is offering tips and reminders to avoid scams and fraud in order to make this necessary process quick, easy and safe for all participants.
“Protect yourself from scams and phishing, the fraudulent attempt through email to steal your personal information, usually appearing as a well-known organization asking for your data such as social security numbers, account number or passwords. Remember the 2020 Census will never ask for your social security numbers, bank account or credit card numbers, money or donations, passwords, or to send money or pay a fee in connection with the 2020 Census response,” said AG George.
“If someone visits your home to collect a response for the 2020 Census, you should verify his or her identity,” she added. Check to make sure they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.
If you suspect fraud, call (340) 718-2020 to speak with a Virgin Islands Census representative. If it is determined that the visitor does not work for the 2020 Census of the U.S. Virgin Islands, contact the Virgin Islands Police Department on St. Croix at (340) 772-9111 on St. Thomas/ St. John (340) 776-9110 or from a land line, dial 911.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2019
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340)774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov