What You Need to Know About the Census..From the BBB

WARNING: 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.



DANIELLE