Be careful giving information to Census Workers.

[blue]

Pulled this from a local forum.

Starting shortly Census Takers will be coming around and gathering information for the 2010 Census. As with most things these days there are good guys and there are bad guys so there are some things you need to be aware of and be “CAUTIOUS ABOUT GIVING INFORMATION 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 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.

So how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door,

1. they will have a badge,

2. a handheld device,

3. a Census Bureau canvas bag,

4. 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. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau 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. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

[Karen]

This is good advice. I get emails from all sorts of places claiming to be my bank, etc. - but I *know* for sure that I have never given any of my email addresses to any bank with which I have an account, so am always sure it is spam.

Always be wary of anyone claiming to need your Social Security number, as that's a powerful piece of data for identity thieves.

[IRescue452]

I hear they've got like 30 pages of info they want. The heck with that. All they are getting from me is how many people are in my household and stuff like that (which they should already know). I'm not telling them what time I leave and return from work every day or anything like that. I don't need a hypothetical microchip. I also hear if they fail to contact you after 6 tries they contact your neighbors to see if they can get info from them. Good thing I don't know about my neighbors except that they have a shih tzu and they don't know me either.

[smokey the elder]

What I remember from the 2000 Census is that there is one of two forms you can get in the mail: a short form and a longer form. The short form is pretty bare-bones; the longer form has more detailed information to track demographic trends (has such information as race, religion, salary range, etc. all of which I believe were optional fields.)

Disclaimer: This was 10 years ago and my recollection could be faulty. It's always wise to take precautions, though.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Thanks for posting that, blue. Back in the old days we were very trusting of most people. Today, who knows who is at our door? I can see how they could easily slip in some questions they could gain valuable info from.

[moosmom]

Good advice, Blue.

I live in a secured building. The only way anyone will get in, is if I let them in.

I don't tell nobody NOTHING. I've had people call my cellphone and ask to speak to Donna Ploss. Now, I don't know about you, but THAT is a sign that it's either a bill collector or a telemarketer. How many of your friends call you by your first AND last name???

[happylabs]

I had a census worker come to my home back in the summer. Since I did not recognize his vehicle I did not go to the door. He left a card and I phoned. I made an appointment for him to come to the house. He had a badge and a laptop which he entered the information into. The whole process only took about 5 to 10 minutes. I don't really even remember now what info I gave him but it wasn't anything to be alarmed about. He was professional and courteous. No biggie.