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Jones brought the matter to the forefront during the Linton City Council's Monday meeting.
The Better Business Bureau says to be cautious about giving information during the Census, Jones noted.
"With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as to not become a victim of fraud or identity theft," Jones said.
Currently, the first phase of the 2010 Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country, he added.
Eventually, more than 140,000 Census workers will work toward counting every person in the country as well as gathering their information -- which will include name, address, gender, race and another relevant data.
"The big question is how do you tell the difference between the U.S. Census worker and the con-artist?" Jones said, then added the BBB's advice:
* U.S. Census workers will have a badge, handheld device, Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
* Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.
* Never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
* Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never clink on a link or open any attachments in your e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
"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," Jones said. "Remember, no matter what they ask, you really only need to tell them how many people live at your address."
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, you don't have to answer anything about your financial situation.
"The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security number, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations," Jones noted. "Anyone asking for that information is not with the Census Bureau."
Remember, the Census Bureau has decided to not work with ACORN on gathering this information. No ACORN worker should approach you saying he or she is with the Census Bureau, Jones noted.
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I applaud Mayor Jones in pointing out the need to be cautious during the census.
However, it's important that we as citizens each participate in the census, because that data is used by economic developers and the state and federal government when making major decisions about infrastructure, roads, relocating businesses, allocating funding and so forth. As a county, we stand to benefit if we are counted correctly. If you have questions about the 2010 census, check out the US Government's census website at: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/ho....
If we all lie and claim some minority status with an exaggerated number of people in the residence we should benefit even more!!
notgreenenative that is funny but unfortunetly true. Infact the Census Bureau did not hire unless you were disabled, black, spanish, american indiana first! Then all the non-minorities go on a second list, no matter how well you test in their screening process! Very sad! But I would like to point out another issue that the Mayor did not. You should not get a call or a personal visit if you had already received a census form in the mail and have returned it. This is what I was told. And if you still get a call or visit, tell them you have already responded by mail. Do not give your information twice.
1. There are many phases to the census which take place over a long period of time. Many of us will only be contacted during one of those phases. Those of us who receive their census forms in the mail will not be contacted in person at all, IF we fill them out and return them.
2. Census workers, mostly people who live in the county in which they're working, your neighbors, might be working in a phase for which handheld devices are not needed and therefore not provided.
3. Census workers should, however, wear an official badge and provide you with a written confidentiality statement. Though they will have an official census canvas bag, they will not necessarily carry it with them to every home they visit.
4. Census workers WILL NOT be asking you for census data, IF you complete and return your census form. That information will be supplied by citizens when they complete their census form.
5. Census workers who visit your home will only ask for address information and whether there are other living quarters on your property, like a rented apartment. HOWEVER, if you do not return your census form, you WILL get a visit from a census worker.
6. If you don't want a follow up visit, send in the form.
Finally, peanut338's comment that "the Census Bureau did not hire unless you were disabled, black, spanish, american indiana first! Then all the non-minorities go on a second list, no matter how well you test in their screening process!" is completely bogus.
I am currently in training for a census phase that will start in a few weeks. Of the 8 people in my class there is not a single person who fits any of peanut338's categories. I'm not suggesting that this is a good thing, but it completely refutes 338's claim.
I've seen copies of the census forms, long and short. Either way they can have my gender, age, address, income and number of residents.
You (the US Census) may not have my name, date of birth, phone number, or other "relevant data" the US Government wants to use. That is my personal information, to be protected as I see fit.
L A's guild lines certainly match my feelings toward the process.