This is good advice.
The following was sent to me from the Kenosha
> Police department for the neighborhood watch program. Please be aware and
> alert.
>
> Caution on the Census
>
>
>
> 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 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. 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
>
> http://www.bbb/. org/. <http://www.bbb.org/>
>
>
>
> http://www.census.gov/
>
>
>
> Phishing, Email Scams & Bogus Census Web Sites
> What Is Phishing?
> 'Phishing' is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting
> to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, social
> security numbers, bank account or credit card details by masquerading as a
> trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing is typically
> carried out by email and it often directs users to enter sensitive
> information at a fake web site whose look and feel are almost identical to
> the legitimate one.
>
> The Census Bureau does NOT conduct the 2010 Census via email or
> the Internet.
> Census Bureau initiated communication through email
>
> You may receive an email from the Census Bureau regarding your
> participation in a survey, however:
>
> a.. The Census Bureau does not request detailed personal
> information through email.
> b.. The Census Bureau does not send email requesting PIN
> codes, passwords social security numbers or similar access information for
> credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.
> How to report phishing, email scams and bogus Census web sites
> If you receive an email or find a web site that you suspect is
> falsely representing the Census Bureau:
>
> a.. Do not reply or click on any links within the email.
> b.. Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain code
> that could infect your computer.
> c.. Forward the email or web site URL to the Census Bureau at
> [log in to unmask]
> d.. After you forward the email to us, delete the message.
> You will not receive a confirmation email after forwarding the
> information to us. However, the Census Bureau will investigate the
> information and notify you of its findings. The Census Bureau can use the
> information, URLs and links you forward to trace the hosting web site and
> alert authorities to help shut down the fraudulent site.
>
> Is your survey legitimate?
> If you have questions regarding the legitimacy of a survey
> questionnaire received in the mail, a phone call or visit by a Census
> Bureau employee, or other concerns of a non-cyber nature, please visit our
> Are You In a Survey? page.
>
>
>
>
> Lion Marty Hutchings
> BOLD PR Director and VIP Liaison
>
>
>
>
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