2010 Census to Begin

THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE; BUT, IN TODAY'S TIMES, I CAN SEE IT COULD


LEAVE AN OPEN DOOR FOR PASSING OUT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION.



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.



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



PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.


http://www.bbb.org/


 2010 Census to Begin - Warning from Better Business Bureau