Don't get scammed by the Census

Anything that grabs the media headlines will also get the attention of scammers. Why? Those who choose to take advantage of you rely on the ability to deceive by capitalizing on mainstream news. The coming 2010 Census is a perfect example. Like flies at a picnic you can count on schemes surfacing to falsely garner personal information from you or offer you a bogus job that requires an up front fee. The national unemployment rate is hovering around 10 percent and the upcoming 2010 Census will create hundreds of thousands of legitimate temporary, part-time jobs across the country. In addition, you will soon see a mailing from the U.S. government requesting you complete a Census form. If you do not complete the form, you very well may get a knock on the door from a Census worker to get the information. This creates a perfect environment for scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers the following advice on what it takes to work for the Census and how to spot a fraudster’s scheme to steal your identity or collect a few dollars in advance to get a Census job. Every 10 years, the government is required to count every man, woman and child in the country. The 2010 Census is a massive undertaking that requires the work of more than one million individuals. Job hunters can apply for jobs with the Census Bureau now, however, most hiring will take place during the spring of 2010. Census takers usually work in their own communities, going door-to-door, conducting brief interviews with households that did not return their questionnaire. Census takers work approximately 20 to 40 hours per week, primarily in the evenings and on weekends and are paid weekly. An applicant’s chances of getting a job with the Census depend on many factors, such as the availability of work in his or her community, test score results, number of hours he or she is available for census work and veterans’ preference. Also being able to speak a second language —even a rare language— fluently is a sought-after trait. Applicants will need to be flexible as census work is usually conducted on weekends and during evening hours, when most people are at home to complete their census questionnaire. The BBB and the U.S. Census Bureau recommend that interested individuals take the following steps to apply for a job with the 2010 Census: • Review the Census Bureau’s Jobs Web site - www.2010censusjobs.gov - to see if you may qualify. • Call 866-861-2010 to learn about available jobs and contact your local Census Bureau office to schedule an appointment to take the basic skills test. • Applications are free and you should never have to pay a fee for anything associated with the Census. You should also disregard any “guarantee” claims for a job as there are none. The BBB and the U.S. Census Bureau also provide the following reminders about the Census: • The needed Census information is limited to your name, gender, race, ethnicity, household members’ relationships and if you rent or own your residence. • Neither the Census form or field representatives will ask for social security, bank account or credit card numbers. Donations are never sought. • The means of contact will be via the U.S. Postal Service or in person. No phone calls, no e-mail. • Field representatives must present an ID badge, which will have a photograph, expiration date and a Department of Commerce watermark. Edward Johnson President and CEO Better Business Bureau serving the Eastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania region