Back in January I received this piece of advice from a friend:
2010 Census Begins Soon
Some helpful info to keep in mind....
THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE;
Be Cautious about giving info to Census Workers, by the BBB.
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? The 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 number 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. Anyone 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 E-mail, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are supposedly from the U.S.Census Bureau.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Best thing is to mail back the census form, ASAP after you got it. I read that if they receive it, you will not be contacted by census workers, so if anyone comes to your door, claiming to be one, you can be sure they are fakes, don’t open the door, don’t talk to them.
There are many burgleries, where they come to your door, and push their way in, once you open it. This is a great opportunity for such criminals. If you get a real census worker, ask them to leave the form and go away, don’t open the door, because you just can’t be sure.