Bureau warns of census scam

Web posted April 11, 2000

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 How to identify census workers

By Clarissa J. Walker
Staff Writer

Con artists posing as census takers have attempted to get Social Security numbers and gain entry into local homes, according to the Better Business Bureau president.

``Those are the two things that are most prevalent. It's happening throughout the United States,'' said Jere L. Bennett, president of the local BBB office.

Mr. Bennett said his office has received phone inquiries during the past month about fake census enumerators -- people who contact residents by telephone and in person -- wanting information.

On Monday, the BBB issued a warning, hoping to get to residents before the scam artists do.

``Census takers do not ask for Social Security numbers and they do not call at night,'' Mr. Bennett said.

He said that if the census workers can't produce an identification badge, then don't let them in your home. Authorized counters visit specific neighborhoods at scheduled times, according to the warning.

Census workers:

Provide residents with a letter and form bearing the Census 2000 logo.

This week, census takers are expected to map out the neighborhoods they will go door to door to get missing information, said John Harlan, the local Census 2000 office manager.

For more information, call the census office at (706) 823-1830 or the Better Business Bureau at (706) 722-1574.

Reach Clarissa J. Walker at (706) 828-3851.

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