U.S. Census - BBB Urges Cautious Cooperation

Phase 1 of the 2010 Census has begun and soon will be counting the members of each household, as well as collecting information from them. If your Census Form is not completed by April 1, you may receive a call or visit from a U.S. Census worker. Although it's important to be cooperative, it's also important to protect yourself from scam artists posing as Census Bureau employees and asking for sensitive information that the Census does not require.

How do you differentiate between a U.S. Census worker and a scam artist? Here are some facts about Census takers they Better Business Bureau has put together:

• Census workers always carry a badge, a hand-held device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
• Although a Census taker may ask for basic financial information (salary range, for example), they will never ask for Social Security Numbers, bank account or credit card information. In addition, they will not solicit donations.
• While Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person, they will never contact you via email.
• Census information is not collected online.

To read the complete BBB alert, click here.