Census 2010

[Mahonri]

2010 Census to Begin


THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE; BUT, IN TODAY'S TIMES, I CAN SEE IT COULD LEAVE AN OPEN DOOR FOR PASSING OUT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION.

WARNING: 2010 Census 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 (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 US. 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? BB B 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 US . Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.BBB.org

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

 

[NancyDz]

Thanks for the info Mahonri!

 

[Goose and Fig]

Do they do businesses in the off years? I got a questionaire/packet to fill out months ago. It was only about our business

I filled it out and sent it back right away. Don't need any trouble- we were already audited 2 years in a row!

 

[jafo]

They were here a few months ago. My wife says over dinner "Oh there was a guy in the yard, he had some little machine and I asked him what he was doing, said he was census and he was getting a gps reading of our house",,,,,,,,,,,,,NOW,,,,,,,,,,,,,,this is BS,,,,,,,,,,now they have a gps reading right to all of our front doors for forced vaccinations, thought crimes, and forced veri-chip implants. Think government heath care that's bieg rammed down our throats will pay for them? NAIS for your poultry and animals. What do you suppose is next?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Mahonri, this is great info. Thanks for a timely warning. Hopefully others won't get this shut down by going off on rants. They can start their own threads for that and let others get this information that can really help them through this thread.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[jafo]

me too

 

[hen-thusiast]

Completely off topic, but I wonder if Utah will finally get it's fourth seat with this census. They keep talking, but we never seem to get it.

 

[StupidBird]

thanks for the info

 

[EweSheep]

Thanks for the information!

 

[Marbleheader]

Great post. When I was an assistant DA, I saw a ton of low-level identity theft. Usually, more of a pain for the victim to deal with then a monetary loss. They go after anyone they think is vulnerable, especially, the elderly and under-educated. Simple rule of thumb is to never provide information to anyone unless you have initiated the conversation through a rusted phone number or office. If anyone wants info from you over the phone, ask for a number to call them back. Scammers will usually just hang up at this point or try to pressure you. If they give you a number verify it online or through 411 or the yellow pages before you call back.