Media contact: Janet C. Hart, CFEE (704) 927-8617 office
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
– April 27, 2009 - For years, the Better Business Bureau has educated consumers
about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who
shows up at your front door. As the 2010 U.S. Census process begins, the BBB advises
you to cooperate carefully so you do
not become the victim of a scam.
The U.S. Census
is an important process conducted every ten years. On April 6, 2009, the first
phase of the 2010 U.S. Census began with 140,000 workers verifying addresses of
every household in the country. Over the next 18 months, 1.4 million U.S.
Census workers will survey the population of the United States to gather
important demographic information about every person living at each address
including name, age, gender, race, ethnic origin, birth date, marital status,
employment status and other relevant data. U.S. citizens are required by law to respond
to the U.S. Census Bureau’s requests for information. Census data will be used
to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year and is used to
determine a State’s number of Congressional representatives.
During the U.S. Census,
you may receive a letter, telephone call or visit from a U.S. Census worker who
will inquire about people living in your household. Unfortunately, you may also
be contacted by scammers impersonating Census workers so they can get access to
your banking and financial information. Law enforcement officials in several
states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census
employees, asking for donations and Social Security numbers.
“Most people are
cautious and will not give out personal information to unsolicited phone
callers or visitors, but the Census is an exception to the rule,” said Tom
Bartholomy, BBB President. “Scammers know that the public is more willing to
share personal data when taking part in the Census and so they take advantage
of this opportunity by posing as government workers to get access to your
financial information.”
The big question is - how do you tell the
difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?
The BBB has this
advice:
- U.S.
Census workers will have identification, a handheld device and a
confidentiality notice. If a Census
worker knocks on your door, ask to see their identification before answering
their questions. However, you should
never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
- U.S.
Census workers will not ask
you for your social security number or your banking and financial information. Do not ever give your social security number,
credit card or banking information to anyone who contacts you, even if they say
it is for the Census.
-
U.S.
Census workers will not ask
you for money or tell you that you owe money. They will not harass you or
intimidate you into paying money or giving them your social security number.
-
U.S.
Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by email,
so be vigilant about email scams impersonating the Census.
Representatives
from the U.S. Census will participate in the BBB’s Senior Scam Jam at Pritchard
Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte on May 18.
For more information, please
visit the U.S. Census online at www.cenus.gov
or The Better Business Bureau online at www.charlotte.bbb.org.
You can also call the BBB at 1-877-317-7236 toll-free in N.C. and S.C.
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