The 2010 census survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau will be underway in March. According to the Better Business Bureau it presents a great opportunity for identity thieves to start running scams. While it is our duty to respond to the survey, we do not have to provide sensitive personal information.
The purpose of the survey is to get a physical count of the people in each household. Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau:
You will first receive a questionnaire in the mail. If you fail to respond a census worker will visit you. If that fails you may receive a phone call, but you will never be contacted by e-mail.
If they come to your house verify the U.S. Census worker is who they say they are. Each U.S. Census worker will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
Ask to see their identification and badge before answering their questions. U.S. Census workers are currently verifying address information.
U.S. Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
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.
Do not invite anyone you don’t know into your home. The survey is very short. It is 10 questions that shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.
To see a list of the questions please go to 2010 U.S.
Census at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php
Source: ID Theft Assist