2010 census comes with precautions

It's a new decade, which means it's once again time to do the count.

As the U.S. Census process gets under way, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is advising people to be cooperative, but cautious, so they are not a victim of fraud or identity theft.

"The only thing you ever have to tell a census taker is how many people live in your house," said Nell Hays, crime prevention specialist with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. "Do not give them any kind of personal information."

No one with the Census Bureau is going to ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, nor solicit donations, according to the BBB. If someone asks for that information, they are not with the Census Bureau.

Hays said one of her neighborhood watch chairpersons is also a census taker. The one thing they will always have with them is a badge or ID. If they don't show it, the resident should ask to see it before talking to them.

"Could it be counterfeited? Of course," Hays said.

There are, however, other ways to tell the difference between a genuine census taker and a con artist. The BBB says a U.S. Census worker will not only have the badge, but a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.

With the new year just over a week old, Hays said there have been no reports of any type of fraudulent activity in Highlands County in relation to the 2010 census.

That's not to say some of these issues won't arise over the coming 12 months.

"It seems like we had the same concerns (in 2000)," Hays said.

One such concern was residents getting e-mails that claimed to be from the Census Bureau. Hays said census workers only correspond face-to-face, and never electronically.

The BBB said census workers may eventually contact people by telephone or mail.

If a person is uncomfortable with having a stranger there, Hays advises that they answer the door, but don't open it.

"They're going to ask you the questions at the door," she said. "They do not need to come into the house."

As a final tip, the BBB says the Census Bureau is not working with ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) to gather the information.

"No ACORN worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau," according to the BBB.