Geist, Carmel, Fishers

WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

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.

The big 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 they will have a badge, a hand-held 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 U.S. Census Bureau.

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Comment by Steve King on January 31, 2010 at 9:38am: At least he didn't accuse you of going 'virile' with your emails. Nancy boy.

Oh yeah, one other thing...it's your site.

Comment by Steve Griesemer on January 31, 2010 at 7:53am: Tom, I think the Census e-mail was a bit misguided for those recipients who are not ACORN haters, and think the Census is a good thing (in addition to a legal duty). It fed right into the TeaBagging talking points of not participating in the census or providing little information "you really only need to tell them how many people live at your address." That the Fishers police department is sending this around is disturbing. Here's a link to the law that states failure to answer any of the questions is a violation of law. You might consider letting folks know.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000221----000-.html
I'm not telling anyone what to do - just pointing out the law.

Comment by Tom Britt on January 30, 2010 at 10:07pm: I got this from the fishers police department

Comment by Jason H. West on January 30, 2010 at 8:06pm: Not sure why but I don't let them count me..

Comment by JOE MARBAUGH on January 30, 2010 at 8:05pm: TOM, YOUR PICKING VIRAL E-MAILS AND FORWARDING THEM THROUGH THIS SITE. i KNEW IT WAS FAKE WHEN THE SCREED TRIED TO SCARE RESIPIANT WITH THE DREADED "ACORN" MONSTER...IN ALL CAPS NO LESS OOOOHH !! I HAVE POSTED THE ORIGIONAL BBB POSTING HERE...YOU MIGHT WANT TO RE SEND...JOE
http://dallas.bbb.org/article/bbb-alerts-consumers-about-us-census-workers-be-cooperative-but-cautious-10346

Comment by Stacey Torres on January 30, 2010 at 6:07pm: Excellent information. My mother and I had been getting telephone calls from the Census Bureau in early December. Finally I spoke to someone there and verified it was legitimate; they were doing telephone interviews to people they had sent packets out to earlier (Sept.-Oct.). No one asked us anything personal or invasive. But, for seniors especially, this is good info. Thanks!