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I came across a blog posted on October 12 by Jerry Davich, the metro columnist for the Post-Tribune newspaper in Northwest Indiana. It caught my attention, as it was titled, “Don’t be scammed by phony door-to-door 2010 Census workers.”
This made me think, of all the door-to-door safety rhetoric I preach, this is an important one, as the Census workers only come around every ten years. It’s an open invitation for those who wish to misrepresent themselves for purposes less than pure.
Jerry picked up on a warning from the Better Business Bureau, cautioning while many will feel they don’t need to be told this stuff, there will, no doubt, be fraud victims in his community. I think he’s right. The biggest threat is identity theft according to the BBB.
Over 140,000 U.S. Census workers will scatter across the country to gather data about each person at a specific address including their name, age, gender, race and other information deemed relevant to the survey.
The BBB offers several ways to tell the difference between a Census worker and a con-artist:
- (1) A Census worker will have an identification badge, a handheld device, an official Census canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
- (2) Do not provide them with information such as your social security number, credit card or banking information.
- (3) Census workers will not solicit donations.
- (4) You really only have to tell them how many people are living at your address.
- (5) The Census Bureau will not be working with anyone from Acorn, therefore no one with Acorn should approach you regarding the census.
- (6) The Census Bureau will not e-mail you, so do not provide an e-mail address. They may follow up via phone or mail in the future, however.
- (7) It is not necessary to invite them into your home.
With some of the negative attention door-to-door sales receives (thank you traveling sales crews), residents should not have to fear the Census worker. Armed with knowledge, they can feel comfortable and answer the door with relief – whether a Census worker or someone legitimately making ends meet.
For more information, check out the BBB at www.bbb.org.
Great information to pass along! The census is important, but so is keeping your identity safe. Thanks Trey!
If any readers think this information would help someone, feel free to send them a link.
If people would just be smart about answering their doors and be sure to get the proper information from the one who knocks… then no one would get scammed!