I just got this forwarded to me in an email, and I think it is actually good advice, so I thought I would pass it along... Enjoy!

>
> 2010 Census to Begin
>
> 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? BBB
> 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.
> 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.