FEBRUARY 28, 2010
By ANNA PRIOR
As the 2010 U.S. Census ramps up in March, you should be on the alert for potential scams. Con artists could use the event to acquire personal information that can lead to identity theft.
Most Census forms will arrive in the mail March 15 to 17. Census workers will then go door-to-door from the end of April to July to households that didn't return the questionnaire.
One thing to watch for is a form or person asking for a Social Security number and financial information, such as bank-account numbers.
Another red flag: email. The Census Bureau won't contact you by email. And the form can't be completed online, says Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook.
Census takers will carry an ID badge with an expiration date and a Department of Commerce watermark. You also can request contact information for a supervisor or the local Census office for verification. Census takers are trained to do business outside the door, says Mr. Cook. So be wary of people trying to enter your home as well as anyone soliciting donations.
To report a scam, contact your regional Census center, and local law enforcement if necessary. ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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