In early April, the first phase of the 2010 U.S. census began with 140,000 workers verifying addresses of every household in the country.
But the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona warns that law enforcement officials in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as census employees, asking for donations and Social Security numbers.
Here are some tips on how to tell the difference between a U.S. census worker and a con artist:
• U.S. census workers will have identification, a handheld device and a confidentiality notice. If a census worker knocks on your door, ask to see identification before answering questions.
However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
• Census workers will not ask you for your Social Security number or your banking and financial information. Never give your Social Security number, credit-card or banking information to anyone who contacts you, even if they say it is for the census.
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• Census workers will not ask you for money or tell you that you owe money. They will not harass you or intimidate you into paying money or giving them your Social Security number.
• Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. But they will not contact you by e-mail, so be vigilant about e-mail scams.
• If you're unsure whether you're the target of a census-related scam, contact the BBB at 888-5353.