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Don’t Get Caught in Census Bureau Cons
The Better Business Bureau ^ | June 16, 2009

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


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: acorn; blackpanthers; census; congress; identitytheft; laraza; nativeamerican; obama; porky; rahmemanuel
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"Three adults live here, have a nice day." [SLAM!]
1 posted on 07/24/2009 7:32:11 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"JUST DAMN! You made it out here. BTW, What are you going to do about getting back across that pasture now that I've shot the bull in the @$$ with a bb gun?"

/johnny

2 posted on 07/24/2009 7:39:08 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (God Bless us all, each, and every one.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Can I ask if they belong to ACORN?


3 posted on 07/24/2009 7:40:50 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (Liberty...freedom from government. Tyranny...no freedom from government)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Isn’t ACORN doing the census? If so, read this:

http://republicans.oversight.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=616


4 posted on 07/24/2009 7:41:57 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
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.

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.

5 posted on 07/24/2009 7:43:41 PM PDT by ducdriver (judica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta. (Ps. 42))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

They can just bypass my house and save the postage too.


6 posted on 07/24/2009 7:46:36 PM PDT by rawhide
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I'm busy, talk to my Rottweiler.
7 posted on 07/24/2009 7:49:16 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Why they are allowed to collect GPS information is beyond me; it's illegal.
8 posted on 07/24/2009 7:50:13 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (They were the Slave Party then; they are the Slave Party now.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
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.

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

9 posted on 07/24/2009 7:52:34 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

RIGHT!! SAME ANSWER ON PAPER!

ONLY GIVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.


10 posted on 07/24/2009 7:52:56 PM PDT by SUSSA
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To: SUSSA

Can we “enhance” the number of white folks in the house???


11 posted on 07/24/2009 7:55:51 PM PDT by goodnesswins (Abort the Obama Presidency, now!!!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Even if it is a census worker, it could be a criminal from ACORN. Who do you trust at that point?
12 posted on 07/24/2009 8:13:28 PM PDT by Major Matt Mason (Imagining a world without DemocRats.)
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To: goodnesswins

Don’t give any racial information. Just tell them how many people live there.


13 posted on 07/24/2009 8:19:47 PM PDT by SUSSA
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To: Carry_Okie

If they come in my yard with one of those GPS units, I am going to show them the business end of my boot.


14 posted on 07/24/2009 8:26:02 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Obamacare: all the efficiency of the DMV and all the compassion of the IRS.)
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To: JRandomFreeper

LOL!


15 posted on 07/24/2009 8:26:24 PM PDT by GVnana (Sarah for America)
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To: SUSSA

UH....but....they’ll be able to look at me and make a “judgement.” Now, if it’s on paper, yes, I understand.


16 posted on 07/24/2009 8:27:09 PM PDT by goodnesswins (Abort the Obama Presidency, now!!!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I don’t answer my phone unless it’s someone I want to talk to , and that does not include ACORN.


17 posted on 07/24/2009 8:28:35 PM PDT by DLfromthedesert
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To: SUSSA

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.


18 posted on 07/24/2009 8:34:24 PM PDT by Texas resident ( Boys and Girls, it's us against them.)
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To: Texas resident

LOL


19 posted on 07/24/2009 8:41:53 PM PDT by SUSSA
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To: SUSSA

Why would they even need racial identification? Does my county get more income if I claim to be a minority?


20 posted on 07/24/2009 8:47:01 PM PDT by coloradomomba (BO stinks!)
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