[Dejibo]

This information is being distributed by the Dallas / Ft. Worth IBM
Organization to warn its thousands of members of fraud associated with the
2010 Census (some pre-census activity is already underway). However, this
warning is for ALL citizens, so you may want to pass it on to everyone you
know.

2010 Census Cautions
by Susan Johnson - August 3, 2009 12:07 pm

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 underway 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. 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. 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.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.

another note is you DO NOT have to allow ANYONE including census workers into your home. You can talk to them through the door, or in the yard. You have the right to ask them to return at a later time, when someone will be home with you.

[Erin524]

Didnt the government just fire the people that were supposed to do the census for them?

[TXBatman]

ACORN was one of several thousand groups that the Census Bureau was planning to use to help them. They terminated their association with ACORN, but have many other organizations still signed up to help them.

[Dejibo]

yes, the Acorn folks were just taken off the contract. I am going to try to say it without this spining into a political debate. it was a matter of a "difference in opinions" according to both parties. Acorn has had several issues over the course of time, and the census folks need to be trusted, and didnt want the distractions that came with their organization. They are hiring "private" workers to do their census activities now.

My momma growing up said her family used to run off the census man. Felt it was none of his business who lived in their house. I always thought that was funny. What do you care if the government finds out that you have 4 kids instead of 8? She would quip "aint none of uncle sams business." sheesh mom!

[Erin524]

Ok, I was thinking I'd read somewhere that they had other people aside from the ACORNs doing the census taking...because if they fired ACORN and didnt have anyone else to do it, that could be a problem.

Maybe I should have tried to get a job doing the census? I wonder if I can still do that?

[Dejibo]

They are looking for census takers. see your town hall or selectmen for information. I am sure they would love to have the help.

[Erin524]

I might do that...maybe I can do some filing...I used to love to do filing.

[Riverwild]

I have used census lists in the past to research family genealogy, and was grateful it was available.

I understand why they have a census, but during the last census I was working out of town and had a huge problem with them.

I have no problem giving info on whether I have a job, what I do, a general figure as to how much I make, how many people live here, etc BUT:

I got hit with the long form of the census, mailed to me since I wasn't home when they came. It was page after page after page of intrusive questions. It was waaaaaaaaaay more info than I was willing to give. I avoided the guy who came back at least ten times, as if he had the plague or swine flu. I didn't answer the huge questionnaire.

I waited until I was at work at my second job out of town and a guy came by and I reported the minimal info. They gave up after I told them I already answered the other guy.


I have no problem with the short form but I am NOT giving them any of the extra info that they asked for. It's none of their freakin' business and I don't care what they threaten me with.

[Twinkletoes]

Back in 1990 I was a Census Enumerator. Sheesh, and you all thought it was a Census Taker!

I thought I did a really good job, but they wouldn't hire me and another lady when 2000 rolled around. *shrug

[Lady]

I think it is an invasion of our privacy. I give name, address and total number of people living in the house.

That should be it, IMO. Counting heads, not finding out a ball park on what people make, or other information that they don't need to know.

They probably want to know who has health care this time around, what kind and how much. Also if you are working or home collecting funds and from what source. I won't budge and give them any move then the above mentioned.

That is all I am ever willing to give anyone. People could have 20 people living in a two room house and lie anyway. People could lie about anything they want so why do they ask us?
My three cents..and counting..