2010 Census Fraud Prevention

2010 Census Fraud Prevention

The 2010 US Census has started and cyber-criminals and scam artists are beginning to use the event to gain personal & financial information from older adults to empty bank accounts and steal identities.

How can you protect yourself?

Census forms will be mailed in February/March and will require a response by April 1, 2010. During the period of April to July 2010, Census field representatives will visit every household that DOES NOT mail back a completed 2010 Census form. If a Census form has already been completed by someone in your household, then NO ONE should come to your home claiming to be from the Census.

Field Representatives must present official ID badges that contains a Dept of Commerce watermark and expiration date. They should be carrying a bag with the Census Bureau logo. They should also be able to provide supervisor contact information and a letter from the Census Bureau Director on official letterhead.

The 2010 Census workers will ask questions pertaining to name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship and home ownership. Field reps will NOT ask questions pertaining to social security number, bank account information or credit card numbers. Employees of the US Census Department can NOT ask for money/donations, enter your home or tell you that you owe money to the government.

Any concerns regarding Census personnel should be reported immediately to the Census Bureau Call Center at 404-335-1555 or 1-888-586-9489.

Source: GADHS ---Division of Aging Services