2nd Reminder for US Census Bureau Information on Data Takers...

***** 2nd REMINDER INFO EMAIL *******

Hello all,
I sent this out originally in September 2009 – since it’s getting closer to the time the Census Data Collection will begin – I wanted to resend it!! There’s a lot of information in this email – if you are going to forward it – please leave all my contact information on the bottom – so that those who wish to call and verify the validity – can do so!

2010 Census Cautions
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the United States Census Bureau advise 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?

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have the following:

1. a identification badge, (no photo)

2. a black canvas bag with the US Census Logo, and

4. a confidentiality notice.

Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.


NOTE: Even if someone has “faked” these items – you can make sure you do not become a victim of identity theft or scam by NOT giving anyone your (a) social security information, (b) banking/ (c) credit card information, or giving (d) cash or (e) checks!!!!!



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, it 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, US mail, or in person at home.
** However, they 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.



TO RECAP – HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF – FOLLOW THESE RULES!!!!


1. Census workers will carry an identification badge, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. MAKE SURE TO ASK THEM FOR THEIR BADGE AND
IDENTIFICATION BEFORE TALKING TO THEM!

2. Census workers will NOT ask for Social Security numbers, Bank Account Numbers, Credit Card Numbers, or any specific account information!

3. Census workers will NOT solicit for donations – do not give anyone any money!

4. Census Workers will NOT contact you by email – do not respond to anyone claiming to be with the US Census by email!

5. Don’t invite them into your homes!!


UPDATE:
I just spoke to a Census Bureau Employee in California, who received my original email regarding the Census Data Collection –
(somehow my email made it all the way out in California!!)


He loves the email! He said that it contains so much good information! He said the census data collectors will NEVER ask to come in your private residence - they will NEVER ask for any banking/credit card information – NEVER ask for social security information. The US Census NEVER does business by email!!


He gave me the rundown on the things they will be carrying:

- The Canvass Bags will be BLACK with the US Census logo

- The Identification badges will NOT have a photo

- They will carry a Confidentiality Agreement

- They will have a vehicle window placard (sign) that they should keep in their window that says something like “US Census Bureau Official Business”

- They will NOT solicit funds from citizens – they will NEVER ask for money or tell you that you owe money

- They will NEVER ask you for your social security information

- They will NEVER ask you for your banking or credit card information

- They will NEVER ask to come into your home – DON’T invite them in!

He said the local region of the US Census Bureau should contact law enforcement prior to going into neighborhoods (roughly in March/April 2010) to let us know they will be in the local area – what they will be wearing and what questions they will be asking. He said this helps not only the citizens, but it helps law enforcement know that they are out there in case they get targeted as a crime victim while in neighborhoods.

Of course when they contact us – we will let you know they are in our neighborhoods!
He was extremely happy to see my email – he agrees – he does not want to see any con men taking advantage of our citizens using the US Census Bureau name!

Be vigilant!


DO NOT invite anyone into your home that you don’t know – ever!

DO NOT give out any banking/credit card information or social security information to anyone you don’t know – ever!

DO NOT give money to any stranger – for whatever reason – until you have checked them out – ever!

Thank you all for forwarding this email around – I have received many calls asking if this was real – or just an internet urban legend – I LOVE IT!! Make sure when you forward the email – that you KEEP my name, address and telephone number listed – so that anyone who wants to verify it with me – can!


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*** Here is some information off the www.census.gov website regarding email scams and bogus websites ****


Phishing, Email Scams & Bogus Census Web Sites


The Census Bureau does NOT conduct the 2010 Census via email or the Internet.


If you receive an email or find a web site that you suspect is falsely representing the Census Bureau:

* Do not reply or click on any links within the email.
* Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain code that could infect your computer.
* Forward the email or web site URL to the Census Bureau at itso.fraud.reporting@census.gov.
* After you forward the email to us, delete the message.

You will not receive a confirmation email after forwarding the information to us. However, the Census Bureau will investigate the information and notify you of its findings. The Census Bureau can use the information, URLs and links you forward to trace the hosting web site and alert authorities to help shut down the fraudulent site.


Information for Survey and Census Participants


The Census Bureau conducts a variety of censuses and surveys, not just the once-a-decade census. Every month, quarter, and year we conduct surveys with households and businesses.

We use a workforce of trained federal employees to conduct a variety of household surveys by telephone and in-person interviews, as well as the mail.

If someone from the Census Bureau has visited you, and you have any questions, you may speak directly via telephone or e-mail with your Census Bureau Regional Office . (Mobile is in the Atlanta Region (info on this link:)

If you have received a telephone call from someone at the Census Bureau, and you have any questions, you may speak directly via telephone with an employee of the National Processing Center . 1-866-226-2864


We Protect Your Information


The surveys we conduct provide information about social and economic conditions in the country, including employment, housing, manufacturing, trade, and many other topics. The questions we ask are used only to produce statistics, and you are never identified individually. For more information on how we protect your information, please see our Data Protection and Privacy Policy website


How to Identify Census Bureau Telephone Interviewers
If you would like to verify that the person calling you is a Census Bureau employee, you may call 1-866-226-2864.

(NOTE: I called the number above – the lady I spoke with said if someone calls you – and you aren’t sure it’s a real census employee – tell them you want to make sure you are talking to a real employee – tell the original caller you are going to call the call center – number above - You can then call the number above – and tell the operator that someone just called you saying they are from the census – ask them to transfer you to a call taker in their call center – and you can answer whatever questions the original caller would ask of you!)

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me!!