THE CENSUS...YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS

WARNING: 2010 Census - Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers -- by Susan Johnson 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? BB 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. (Z: HERE IS THE VERY, VERY MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO KNOW REGARDING THIS CENSUS): REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau. AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau 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. (end of Susan Johnson article) Z: My friend received another Census request fairly recently....here is her answer when I asked her to remind me for this blog post what the questions were she resented....Are you ready for THIS? Here is her response: How much is my house payment, utility bills, how much money do I make, what interest money did I receive, how much was my electricity bill, can i get dressed without help, walk up upstairs, how many times have i been married, what is the date of my last marriage, what was my college degree major, what is the name on the deed to my house, how much are my property taxes, who lives with me, how many bedrooms do i have, how much is my house worth if i wanted to sell it today, how many people in the household had a child born if they were under age 18, who is my health insurance with, how long have I lived at my current address, what year was my house built, it goes on and on and on. they want my birth date and my age (why??) I think there are 301 questions, and it is 28 pgs long. Z: How do you like THEM apples? And this is REQUIRED! These answers apparently MUST be answered. Apparently, one out of every 480 people will get this form. Are all those questions anything you want your government knowing? I emailed my friend again and asked for more info...here's her answer... Google American Community Survey and you will find their web site. Look for the 2009 Form. It is also called the ACS survey. also, the questions are more intrusive with the new pres. Be sure to read the most recent form. Although the older ones are also intrusive. you will also find lots of people who are upset with the form when you go on-line but go to the real web site and find the Official Form. And yes, of course it is mandatory to answer all questions. they just upped the fine to $5,000.00. It was less before. I am not sure about the jail time. They told me they had not heard of anyone going to jail, but... I will also get the 2010 census form. btw--they send out the ACS every year. MAN, oh MAN, oh man. Do YOU want to answer these questions, GeeeZ readers? Z