Full Notification

2010 Census Cautions

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers.

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?

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 badge,

2. a Census Bureau canvas bag, and

3. 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.


· 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, mail, or in person at home.

o 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.

THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS A TRAINED WORK FORCE OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO CONDUCT A VARIETY OF HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS BY TELEPHONE AND PERSONAL INTERVIEWS. THEY ALSO DELIVER AND RECEIVE SOME SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES BY MAIL. IF SOMEONE FROM THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS CONTACTED YOU AT HOME AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN, PLEASE GO THE CENSUS BUREAU WEBSITE AT WWW.CENSUS.GOV AND CLICK ON THE "ARE YOU IN A SURVEY?" LABEL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN OR PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE CENSUS BUREAU REGIONAL OFFICE IN YOUR AREA.