While the census is about to get underway, the Census Bureau wants you to be on the lookout for people who may try to steal your identity.
The Census count is important as it helps determine future government funding of programs and projects, and also determines how many seats in the US House a state can get. Invitations to take part in the census will be sent out starting next week, and when the invitation is received, people can respond online, by phone or by mail. In May, census takers will visit homes that have not filed a response.
The Census Bureau said that there may be those who try to trick people with a phony census, and try to get personal information from victims. The bureau reminds everyone that they will never ask people for their social security numbers, mother’s maiden name, bank or credit card information, opinions on political issues or political parties, information or support on behalf of a political party, or any donations or money.
The bureau advises that while everyone keep a lookout for those signs of a fraudulent census, people should look for these signs of the genuine census. They include making sure that the return address for a mailed-in census is from Jeffersonville, Indiana. If someone calls you on the phone, call 1-800-923-8282 to verify that the caller is legitimate. If you are replying online, make sure that the web address begins with HTTPS and has a lock symbol for secured web access. And if you are answering the knock on the door, check his or her ID badge for a photo, a US Department of Commerce Watermark, and an expiration date. You can call 1-800-923-8282 for further verification and to report a scammer.
