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| Community Voices A News Resource ... A Positive Perspective |
GovErnMent & PoliticS
GOVERNMENT
The most important political office is that of
the private citizen. ~Louis Brandeis
the private citizen. ~Louis Brandeis
UNITED STATES
STATE OF MICHIGAN
CITY OF KALAMAZOO
BBB Alerts Consumers about U.S. Census Workers:
Be Cooperative, But Cautious!
For years, Better Business Bureau has educated
consumers about not giving out personal information
over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the U.S.
Census process beginning, 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.
“Most people are rightfully cautious and won’t give out personal information to
unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however the Census is an exception to the
rule,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. “Unfortunately, scammers know that
the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census
and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government
employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.”
The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds
every year, as well as determine a State’s number of Congressional
representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the
Census Bureau’s request for information.
During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or
visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living
in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are
impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial
information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. Law
enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already
posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for
donations and Social Security numbers.
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 e-mail, so be on the look- out for
e-mail scams
---------------------------------------
Posted CVs December 8, 2009
Be Cooperative, But Cautious!
For years, Better Business Bureau has educated
consumers about not giving out personal information
over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the U.S.
Census process beginning, 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.
“Most people are rightfully cautious and won’t give out personal information to
unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however the Census is an exception to the
rule,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. “Unfortunately, scammers know that
the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census
and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government
employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.”
The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds
every year, as well as determine a State’s number of Congressional
representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the
Census Bureau’s request for information.
During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or
visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living
in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are
impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial
information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. Law
enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already
posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for
donations and Social Security numbers.
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 e-mail, so be on the look- out for
e-mail scams
---------------------------------------
Posted CVs December 8, 2009
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