The U.S. Census Bureau and Better Business Bureau are urging people to be cooperative with the U.S. Census Bureau workers, but cautious not to become a victim of identity theft or fraud.
Recently, the first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census began as workers have started verifying the addresses of homes across the nation. More than 140,000 employees are expected to count every person in the United States, gathering as much personal information as possible, such as name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.
Bureau officials are offering advice on how to tell the difference between census workers and a con artist.
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on the door, the individual will have a badge, a handheld device, bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask for identification and a badge before and answering questions, and don’t invite anyone into the house.
Census workers currently are only knocking on doors to verify address information
Don’t give out a Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if the person claims they need it.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, they won’t ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Anyone asking for that information is not a census worker.
Eventually, Census workers may contact residents by telephone, mail or in person at home.
They will not contact individuals by e-mail. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
