Just a few months ago in January, we talked about being aware that fraudsters often use a current event to try to trick you into giving up personal information. One such “current event” is now in full swing as the United States 2010 Census forms landed in mailboxes across the country during March. This year’s census appears to be a prime target for scams, as Kroll’s Licensed Investigators are taking calls on a daily basis from consumers who have been sent phony emails or other communication.

The next phase of the census process begins April 1, National Census Day. Census takers will be visiting residents who did not return a form, or phoning residents to clarify a mailed form that was improperly completed. The Licensed Investigators at Kroll’s Fraud Solutions advise residents to learn about the census to prevent the possibility of sharing too much personal information or giving information to a thief. The following information from the U.S. Census Bureau’s website can prepare you for a secure 2010 census experience:

• The census taker will ask only the questions that appear on the census form. You can view a copy of the form online. However, the census form can’t be completed online.
• Do not answer email that appears to be from the U.S. Census. Their website states clearly, “The U.S. Census Bureau will NEVER ask for any information to be submitted online.”
• The U.S. Census does not collect/ record Social Security numbers, account information, or legal status.
• Census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name. They may carry a bag marked “U.S. Census Bureau.”
• The census taker will never ask to enter your home.
• You can call the Regional Census Center to confirm the worker is employed by the U.S. Census Bureau.
• If you do not speak English, the census taker can request that a person who speaks your language be assigned to your case.

As a final note, it is important to remember that your information is used by the bureau to produce statistics and it is against the law for the bureau or its employees to disclose or publish your personal information, which includes names, addresses (including GPS coordinates) , and telephone numbers. All U.S. Census Bureau employees take an oath for life to protect personal information gathered by the agency. Also, the bureau cannot by law share respondents’ answers with the IRS, FBI, CIA or any other government agency.

Charlotte Rose
Senior Investigator

Tags: 2010 Census, census form, mail fraud, scams

Categories: Consumer ID Security, Data Security Issues.