Phony BBB E-mail Spreads Fiction about 2010 Census; Get the Facts

An e-mail which falsely claims to be from the Better Business Bureau about the upcoming 2010 Census is inaccurate and BBB is advising consumers to get the facts.

How to Identify a Census Field Representative
If a U.S. Census Bureau employee knocks on your door, here are some recognition tips to assure the validity of the field representative:

• The field representative must present an ID badge that contains a Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date.  The field representative may also be carrying a bag with a Census Bureau logo.
• The field representative will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the Regional Office phone number for verification, if asked.
• The field representative will provide you with a letter from the Census Bureau Director on official letterhead.

When Field Representatives will be Going Door-to-Door

• From April to July 2010, we will knock on the door of every
  household that does not mail back a completed 2010 Census form. (The forms will be mailed beginning in March.)
• It’s critical that you take just 10 minutes to fill out and mail back your form rather than wait for a census worker to show up on your doorstep. About $85 million in taxpayer dollars are saved for every one percent increase in mail response.
• The Census Bureau must get a census form to – and a completed form back from – every residence in the United States.  That’s more than 130 million addresses. This is why the census is the largest domestic mobilization our nation undertakes.

What the 2010 Census DOES NOT Ask

• Field representatives will never ask you for your social security number, bank account number, or credit card number.  Census workers also never solicit for donations and will never contact you by e-mail.

The Census is Safe

• The 2010 Census will ask for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home – just 10 simple questions that will take about 10 minutes to answer.
• Your answers are protected by law and are not shared with anyone.
• The Census Bureau safeguards all census responses to the highest security standards available.

For more information about the upcoming 2010 Census visit www.census.gov/2010census

Related Articles

01/20/2012 In the News -- Caller ID Spoofing a Growing Problem Caller ID spoofing is a growing problem, and consumers can complain to BBB, FTC and FCC, advises Jeannette Kopko of BBB serving Dallas and Northeast Texas to Daniel Novick of CW33 TV in Dallas - Fort Worth.
01/11/2012 Resolve to be a Smarter Consumer in 2012 The start of a new year is a great time to resolve to be a smarter, safer consumer. Better Business Bureau has 10 resolutions for 2012 that can help you fight scammers, prevent identity theft and save money:
01/11/2012 BBB Advises Contractors To Avoid Firms That Charge $99 Advance Fee For Job Leads The BBB is urging contractors to be alert for telephone solicitors trying to convince them to sign up for an online program offering free job leads.