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WARNING:
2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau
2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau
Be
Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by
Susan Johnson
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
more advice on avoiding identity theft and
fraud, visit www.bbb.org
