2010 Census Bureau

2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers, by Susan Johnson


With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a
victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S.
Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of
households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census
workers will count every person in the United States and will gather
information about every person living at each address including name,
age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S.
Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a
handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality
notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering
their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know
into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address
information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or
banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the
U.S. Census.

REMEMBER,
NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY
PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such
as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING
AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will NOT ask
for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will
employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is
NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON
GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying
he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail,
or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will NOT contact you
by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are
supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org
<http://www.bbb.org/>

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS