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Watch out for Census scam
Scammers are again trying to manipulate a well-intended program for their own benefit, and this time it concerns the U.S. Census.
According to Consumer Reports and CNN Money, there is a current scam that has people claiming (via e-mail, phone or in person) to be from the Census Bureau to get your personal information.
CR noted that the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) is warning the public to beware.
It reminded consumers that the Census Bureau:
— Will not e-mail you.
— Will not ask for your full Social Security number.
— Will not ask for money or a donation.
— Will not send requests on behalf of a political party.
— And will not request PIN codes, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.
UPDATED: The Census Bureau noted what you should do when Census takers come to your door:
— First ask to see their ID. All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a “U.S. Census Bureau” bag.
— Note that the Census taker will never ask to enter your home
— If you’re still not certain about their identity, please call the Regional Census Centers to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau.
— Answer the census form questions for your entire household (you must be at least 15 years old to answer questions) so that the census taker can record the results for submission to the Census Bureau.
Also, as noted by CNN, if someone shows up at your door and either asks you for money to pay for the 2010 census, or they ask you for your Social Security number, don’t give them anything.
Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Scams to watch out for
Comments
By sigh
March 18, 2010 11:48 AM | Link to this
There’s also another census scam going around right now where people claiming to be government agents will threaten you with fines for failing to answer their intrusive questions which have no relevance to the purpose of the census, such as race or gender. Be sure to only give these scam artists the Constitutionally-required information; namely, how many people are in your home.
By DDN reader
March 18, 2010 12:51 PM | Link to this
This is a great consumer article. In attempting to print out the page using the DDN-provided link, there resulted in so much upfront clutter (almost 3 pages of categories and links) that the article began at the bottom of page 3 and ended with almost an entire page of clutter on the final page (links, comment box, etc.) — 5 pages for the “article.” Other internet sites offer a tight and concise print option of a page or so on an article. Can you do as much DDN?
By Edith O.
March 18, 2010 2:33 PM | Link to this
That’s a good one, “sigh”. I just filled out mine today. I checked every box on every page. At least they can’t fine me for not answering all the questions.
By Russell J.
March 18, 2010 2:58 PM | Link to this
I will only answer their questions if they give me one of their Census Bureau canvas bags.
By null
March 18, 2010 3:59 PM | Link to this
— A badge — A handheld device — A Census Bureau canvas bag — A confidentiality notice now the scammers know what to have with them
By Freedomlover
March 18, 2010 4:06 PM | Link to this
The Census is for enumeration purposes. The only constitutional requirement is to state how many live in your home. Period!
By Sassy
March 18, 2010 4:20 PM | Link to this
Constitutional or not, they can always send someone to your home to find the answers to their questions.
By 448 Kiefaber
March 18, 2010 7:37 PM | Link to this
That’s true Sassy, but I don’t need to open my door. Of course they can count my dogs and their breed when I let them out.
By TKidding72
March 18, 2010 8:52 PM | Link to this
They should have posted this article right along side of the article that stated that the Census Bureau was hiring ex convicts to go door to door to get your information. Maybe then everyone could see the connection.
By null
March 19, 2010 8:09 AM | Link to this
Wah, DDN reader, wah. Here is yet another important informative article Jill Kelly provides on a regular basis and all you do is cry about printing it. Again, wah.
By fortressdayton
March 19, 2010 9:11 AM | Link to this
I always write in ‘human’ for race, because that’s the only one there is. race is a social construct… ‘Pacific Islander/Other’ or ‘African-American’ are geographical indicators, not racial. I haven’t seen ‘European American’ yet… Or, if you want to be really sassy, write in Aboriginal- since if you were born here, you technically are. The census with its current goals IS a scam.
By Martin Polnick
March 19, 2010 9:38 AM | Link to this
Edith O - You’re an idiot!
By senior
March 19, 2010 12:07 PM | Link to this
Ms. Kelly should check with the local census office. Enumerators will not have handheld devices. Some of the above posters should read the constitution. The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution, “in such manner as [Congress] may direct.” If you don’t like the questions, write your congressman, they’re the ones who decided what to ask. And, setting your dogs on a government employee is a stupid idea, which will probably result in a visit from the police department. Plus, the only people who will be visited by an enumerator are those who don’t return the form on time, or fill it out incorrectly. There sure are a lot of paranoid and mis-informed commentors to this column.
By Jill Kelley
March 19, 2010 1:24 PM | Link to this
Usually CNN is correct, but senior, you are right. The U.S. Census Bureau said Census takers will not be carrying hand-held devices, so I removed that from my post and will put in a link to the Census site’s info.
By MMix
March 19, 2010 5:07 PM | Link to this
Someone said if you do not fill out the form you will be charged $500.. is this true?
By nadrak
March 19, 2010 10:19 PM | Link to this
It’s $100.00 for not answering and $500.00 for giving false information.
By American
March 20, 2010 6:57 AM | Link to this
Why is there no “American” choice under race catagory? That is my race. (& Sigh, you are absolutely right!)
By American
March 20, 2010 6:59 AM | Link to this
Why is there no “American” choice under race catagory? That is my race. (& Sigh, you are absolutely right!)
By itisme
March 20, 2010 9:53 AM | Link to this
fortressdayton, you are wrong.Legal definition of aboriginal is, Pertaining to things or land or person or members of a race, which are indigenous to, or first occupied a specified territory.
By Barb
March 20, 2010 11:50 AM | Link to this
I actually filled in the word “European-American” beside “white” on my form. Let’s be politically correct towards all parties!
By Stumpy
March 20, 2010 12:56 PM | Link to this
When they ask for race, I always write in “100 yard dash”. That really steams their bean!
By Jill Kelley
March 20, 2010 6:42 PM | Link to this
Here is what the Census Bureau had to say about the question about a fine: “Participation in the Census is vital and required by law. The law makes it a crime not to answer and authorizes the courts to impose a fine of up to $5,000 for failure to respond. However, rather than rely on criminal charges, the Census Bureau prefers, and has been very successful in getting participation by instead explaining the importance of the questions we ask and how the information benefits our communities.”
By null
March 20, 2010 10:24 PM | Link to this
Remember when I come to your door because you did not send in the form I AM A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE!!
By Uncle Andy
March 21, 2010 12:09 AM | Link to this
If you are a racist, you have the most motivation to NOT fill in the race.
By Mr. Ed
March 21, 2010 10:08 AM | Link to this
Do they count horses, or only horses butts, which would leave out all of the democrats!!
By null1960
March 21, 2010 11:05 AM | Link to this
There will always be racism in our “Good ol’ U.S. of A.” To be even more politically correct… ask the question..(african/europian,cuban asian,hawiian europian….u get my point. Where does it end? This is America Period!
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