WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT US CENSUS WORKERS

(07/19/2010)
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.

How do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, 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.

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.

As a citizen, no matter what you are asked, you really only need to tell how many people live at your address.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, under law, you don't have to answer about your financial situation.

The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Anyone asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home.

However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by e-mail, 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.