Posted on 07/24/2009 7:32:09 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Most people know not to give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors. However, the Census process is an exception to the rule, because representatives do collect information by visiting households. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are using this as an opportunity to impersonate Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers.
Although law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are posing as Census Bureau representatives, your BBB encourages caution. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? Your 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. Remember, 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. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
* Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. They will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail 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.
The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year, as well as determine a state’s number of Congressional representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau’s request for information. For more information, go to www.bbb.org
/johnny
Can I ask if they belong to ACORN?
Isn’t ACORN doing the census? If so, read this:
http://republicans.oversight.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=616
They can ask all they want. I'll tell them only how many are here. No financial information, or anything else. It's a count.
They can just bypass my house and save the postage too.
I have a service that guarantee's that I will receive up to a million dollars if my info is abused.
I don't worry...../s
RIGHT!! SAME ANSWER ON PAPER!
ONLY GIVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
Can we “enhance” the number of white folks in the house???
Don’t give any racial information. Just tell them how many people live there.
If they come in my yard with one of those GPS units, I am going to show them the business end of my boot.
LOL!
UH....but....they’ll be able to look at me and make a “judgement.” Now, if it’s on paper, yes, I understand.
I don’t answer my phone unless it’s someone I want to talk to , and that does not include ACORN.
I will give them my race: Human. Or even better, I am a mix of Pacific islander/Polish/South African Boer. I love to screw with those who ask me for my race.
LOL
Why would they even need racial identification? Does my county get more income if I claim to be a minority?
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