Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

Be Cautious About

Giving Info to Census Workers!!!!

With the U.S. Census

process beginning, the Better Business Bureau 

(BB 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 www.bbb.org

PLEASE SHARE THIS

INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. YOU MAY SAVE THEIR

IDENTITY!!