Use Caution with 2010 Census Workers!

A friend of mine asked me to pass this on to my readers today. It's a reminder that we must remain cautious as census workers are making their way around the nation.
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*Be Cautious* about giving your information to the U.S. Census Workers with the U.S. Census process that is just beginning. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but to *be cautious* 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? The BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door or rings your door bell, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a U.S. Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. *ASK* to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. HOWEVER, it is advised that 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. (note: If they keep insisting for it, call the police!)
While the U.S. Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, they will not ask for social security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, the U.S. Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will NOT contact you by E-mail. Be aware and be on the look out for E-mail scams that will try to impersonate the U.S. Census.

DO NOT CLICK on a link or open any attachments in email that are supposedly from the "U.S. Census Bureau".

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Sherlock here, while this is an important year in our nation to see how our country is doing geographically, I am asking many of my readers to be very cautious at this time. If you do not want to deal with the representative from the U.S. Census bureau or you are alone at that time, ask for a card that you can call their local offices and schedule a time for a visit in which you will be very happy to take part in the U.S. Census then.

Sadly to say, con artists will try to mimic these census workers. Ask for IDs and badges. If you do not like what you see, call the police and let the deal with these people.

Everyone has a right to keep their information protected and being safe this year.

For further information on the U.S. Census, Go to : http://www.census.gov/

Semper FI!