Special
For years, Better Business Bureau has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the U.S. Census process beginning, 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 along the way will gather information about every person living at each address, including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.
Most people are rightfully cautious and won't give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors; however the census is an exception to the rule. The data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year, and determine a state's number of Congressional representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau's request for information.
Unfortunately, this gives scammers the chance to ply their trade by posing as government employees and soliciting sensitive financial information.
During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house.
Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.
The question is -- how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?
BBB offers the following advice:
- If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, he or she will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see the person's identification and badge before answering their questions.
- 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 census. Workers will not ask for banking and financial information, nor will they solicit donations.
- Eventually, census workers might contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the lookout for e-mail scams. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that is supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.
KELVIN COLLINS IS THE PRESIDENT/CEO OF BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF CENTRAL GEORGIA & THE CSRA INC. REFER QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT A COMPANY OR CHARITY DIRECTLY TO THE BBB AT (800) 763-4222, WWW.BBB.ORG OR BY E-MAIL TO INFO@CENTRAL GEORGIA.BBB.ORG OR INFO@CSRA.BBB.ORG.
