WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau
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 is supposedly
from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Be sure and tell your children in case they are home when the Census takers arrive. They should say nothing. Come back when you are home.
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 is supposedly
from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Be sure and tell your children in case they are home when the Census takers arrive. They should say nothing. Come back when you are home.
