Wednesday, 17 March 2010

• Beware of Census Scams

  

  Everywhere you turn these days, you're likely being encouraged to send back your census form.  These forms will be appearing in mailboxes this week. And because scam artists take advantage of being topical, they may be contacting you this week as well.

  Because the Census is one of those things everyone is exposed to, but not many people really know much about, it makes it prime fodder for crooks who will be emailing and calling folks pretending to be from the government.

  CNNMoney has an article about the possible  scams and has some things to keep in mind to keep you safe:

  • The census questionnaire only has 10 questions.
  • There are NO questions asking for your bank account, credit card number or social security number.
  • The census will NEVER contact you via email. So don't open attachments or click links in emails that are supposedly from the census- these are fake emails.
  • A census worker will come to your home if you don't return the form in a month but they will have the following:  

            -badge
            -Census Bureau canvas bag
            -confidentiality notice

  • A person at your door asking for money or a social security number is NOT from the census.  Workers at the door will only ask the 10 questions from the questionnaire. Always check for their idea and badges.

  Just keep this in mind and keep your information safe during this year's census. The best way to be safe is to fill out only one census form (for your primary residence) and to send it back quickly, so you don't have to worry about someone coming to the door and trying to verify their identity.

  Do you know anyone who has experienced a census scammer yet? Had you even considered the possibility of census scammers?

  [via money.cnn.com]

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