is watching you,,or is it a con artist, or both! ,,,,Census to Begin

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 handheld 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 E-mail, so be on the lookout for E-mail scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

 

B y refusing to answer questions a census worker asks, you open yourself up to IRS audit and jail time.

Best to tell them ANYTHING they want to know, once you verify that they are for real.

 

I'm curious to know if anyone here has been contacted by a census worker in the past? I have never.

 

yeh rite you tell them all not me

 

My mother got a census form in the mail one year... it asked all kinds of silly questions about our plumbing, income, education, jobs, history of spouses for each adult, etc.

I'v never met a census worker.

 

Do not give them ANY personal information such as SS#, bank account info, etc.

 

Originally Posted by pizzaguy
B y refusing to answer questions a census worker asks, you open yourself up to IRS audit and jail time.

Yes, they threatened me with these things.

All they need to know is how many people live at your address End of story.

 

While my post was laced with sarcasm, just what can be the consequences of refusing to tell them everything from your shoe size to your marital history?

 

Actually I believe it is $100 fine for not filling out the census forms.

And $500 fine for giving false info.

I would guess it escalates from there if you refuse to pay fines.

 

As U.S. citizens we have certain rights, freedoms and responsibilities. The Census falls under the responsibility category. And yes, it's backed by law. If you want all the facts, they are easy to find:

security issues:
More Security Topics - 2010 Census

and

sample form:
The Questions on the Form - 2010 Census


and
questions answered:
Questions You May Have - 2010 Census


Honestly, I don't understand the consternation. This is no big deal. We are lucky to live in a country that gives us so much, yet, as compared to so many other countries, requires so little. Enough of the whining!