Using Common Census

306,000,000 … and counting. That’s 306 million people, the current population of the United States. The counting part will take place in 2010 with a massive undertaking known as the census, an official headcount of U.S. citizens that happens every ten years.

This counting means census workers are now out in neighborhoods all across the country collecting the preliminary information they’ll need to put together accurate population numbers. Unfortunately, it also means thieves will be out to exploit the situation, posing as official census workers, trying to collect personal information they can use for fraudulent purposes.

Census figures are very important as they’re used to help allocate over $300 billion in federal funds every year. They’re also used to determine the number of congressional representatives in each state, so it’s very important that accurate information is obtained.

Knowing government workers are out in neighborhoods doing official government business, it may be easy to let down your guard when it comes to providing strangers with personal information, but you still need to be very careful about giving information to those who may be looking to take advantage of the situation.

Census workers are now out verifying addresses so that every house receives a questionnaire in 2010. This questionnaire will ask for each resident’s name, age, gender, race and other relevant census information.

Please note: Official census workers WILL NOT ask you for your date of birth, financial account(s) information or Social security Number. Never provide this information to any solicitor, whether asked by phone, U.S. mail, e-mail, text message or in person.

How can you be sure the person asking you questions is really an official U.S. Census worker? Here are a few things to remember:

1.  To help verify the authenticity of a U.S. Census worker, look for these items:

• Official U.S. Census badge
• Handheld device for tracking information
• U.S. Census Bureau canvas bag
• Confidentiality notice

2.  Ask to see the person’s official census worker badge before answering any questions.

3.  Census workers are verifying only addresses at this time (they may ask for a household income range as well). They WILL NOT ask for information such as account numbers, Social Security Numbers or any such personal financial information, nor will they ask for donations of any kind.

4.  You won’t be contacted by e-mail. Census representatives will ask for information by telephone, mail or in person. Beware of e-mails claiming to involve census business, and DO NOT click on links or open attachments of any such e-mails.

Your information is very important for the success of the upcoming census, but you must remain vigilant about protecting it. Keep up your guard when providing personal information, and reduce the chances that you’ll become a victim of fraud.

Take a fun look at U.S. and world population tracking numbers via a “population clock.”  For more information on the 2010 Census, click here.