News

9/28/2009 - Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers

by Susan Johnson

August 3, 2009

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.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a

salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank

account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person

at home. However, th e 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 http://www.bbb.org/

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