2010 US Census Information and Awareness

I work in security so am allowed to be ultra paranoid. However I think everyone should be a little aware of the 2010 US Census to not be victims of fraud or Identity theft. Additionally one should spread the awareness in good faith to avoid friends, family, or loved ones to be victimized.

Malicious Viewpoint
Since everyone knows there is a Census and people are going to knock on doors, I will dress like a Census worker (what do they look like anyways) and go around a neighborhood knocking on doors. When someone opens I will be extremely nice (social engineering?), ask for all of the person's information (including Social? Credit Card? Bank account?), and then proceed to perform identity theft, credit card fraud, etc!
Obviously this is a fictional scenario but I am sure in practice one will get a LOT of information.

So don't let it happen to you or your friends, family, etc... continue reading, copied from a source I can't cite at the moment.

2010 U.S. Census Cautions to avoid Fraud or Identity Theft

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:

A· 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.

B· 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. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they 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.

Till next time,
Jorge Orchilles