The 2010 Census is months away, but that hasn’t stopped a flurry of questions from consumers. Many call the BBB with concerns about giving away information that could allow their identities to be stolen.
So why bother? The census is conducted every 10 years and counts every resident in the United States. It helps communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds annually for things like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works projects and emergency service.
The data also helps determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Census forms will be mailed in March to every residence in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. You’ll be asked to answer 10 short questions — including name, sex, age, date of birth, race, household relationship and if you own or rent — and mail it back in the postage-paid envelope provided. The census does not ask about the legal status of respondents or for Social Security, checking account or credit card numbers. And you will not be asked to submit information online.
But what about privacy for your personal information?
• The easiest way to keep your information safe is to return the form immediately. Census takers will visit households that do not return a form.
• Any request for census information from the Census Bureau will be clearly marked as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.
• It’s a federal offense for anyone to pretend they represent the Census Bureau or any other office of the U.S. Government.
• When the 2010 Census takes place, you will receive a letter from the Census Bureau director notifying you that your household will receive a form in the mail, or a phone call from the Census Bureau or a visit from a Census Bureau representative.
• All census takers carry official government badges marked with just their name.
• You may also ask them for a picture ID from another source to confirm their identity.
• Some census workers might carry a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag.