Census Scam or Legit?

[Tom Capelo]

I want to obey the law, but I also don't want to get taken by a scammer.

I got a call on my cell phone (Worry #1, how did the person know to call my cell phone about my rental property? I use a Google Voice number for ads.). The caller said he was from the U.S. Census Bureau and understood I had property at address X. I asked if I could do this online. He said I couldn't. I said "I'm sorry, but I can't trust a random phone call" and hung up. (Worry #2, isn't this awfully early for the 2020 Census? I checked and it is way too early.)

A day or two later I get an overnight Fedex (Worry #3, wouldn't the U.S. Government use the USPS?). (Worry #4, why spend the money for overnight? What's the rush?) The first sentence says "The U.S. Census Bureau conducts surveys each month to provide statistics on topics such as income, education, commuting, and housing."

Another part says "Currently, the property located <address X> (Worry #5, the address was 1234 ABC street #, but no apartment number was given.) ... . Based on observations, this property might be a residence that is only occupied occasionally or only during a particular season. We are requesting your assistance in confirming if someone is currently living at this residence, if this is a seasonal residence, or if this property is vacant. (Worry #6, anyone who actually visited the property would see neatly trimmed grass and plants, snow was shoveled, trash can has recent trash, there are cars with clean windows and obviously used regularly, there are cats in the windows, lights are on, looking through a window shows furniture, etc. The place is very obviously currently occupied.)

Later, the letter says "a member of our staff will contact you in a few days." (Worry #7, why the rush then with overnighting a letter via Fedex? Why not use USPS and get proof it was delivered?)

It also says I can call Mr. X Y Z and gives a number. It is an unusual enough name that an online search gave only one hit. It said it was the land line for a personal home, and Mr. X Y Z is 80 years old. This address within about 5 miles of my property, so it would have been very easy to visit it in person (provided said 80 year old can still drive!).

The watermark on the letter looks like a U.S. Eagle, with "2013" under it. (Worry #8, why 2013? It is 2020.)

A 2nd page quoted a bunch of laws and listed fines for not cooperating.

So one comment is, be careful about scammers!

Is there any chance this is legit?

This seems to be pretty elaborate for a scam. Out of curiosity, what information are they after or what action are they trying to get me to do?

Several sites I looked at said to not give out tenant's personal info. One of the laws listed in the letter said a landlord had to "furnish the names of the occupants of such premises or give free ingress thereto..." That "or" would mean I don't have to give names, as they have free egress to the premises.

General advice about this is appreciated, too.