For years, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the US Census process beginning, the 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 US Census is under way, as workers have begun verifying addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 US 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 Andy Fisher, BBB Shreveport. "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 US. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a US Census worker who will inquire " about the number of people living in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers, who impersonate census workers to get access to banking and financial information.

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 US Census worker and a con artist? The BBB offers the following advice: If a US Census worker knocks on your door, he will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see his identification and badge before answering his 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 US Census. Census workers will not ask for banking and financial information, nor will they solicit donations.

Eventually, census workers may contact you by phone, 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 is supposedly from the US Census Bureau. For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit the Better Business Bureau.

Permission to reprint by: "The Forum Newsweekly" Article taken from June 3, 2009 issue, page 10