MAGNOLIA

CLIPPING SERVICE

1601) <SS.{}911 I (2051758·8610

SPIRIT OF MORTON
MORTON, MS
CircuJdlJon:;:; 1500

WEEKLY

10/0712009
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BBB Cautions
about Census
.9 Scams
I Ridgeland, {klnber
5 - Over the next 18 months,
1.4 million U.S. Census work­
I,~rs will be s urv eying the
population of the country to
gather demographic informi:l­
Hon about everyone
here. As the 2010 census pro­
cess begins, the !letter Rusi­
ness Bureau (RIm) Serving
Mississippladvises citizens
to cooperate carefully in or­
der to avoid becoming a vic­
tim of" census~relatcd scams.
Citizens are required
hy law to respond to the U.S.
Census Bureau's requests l'Or
information. Census data will
be used in aJlocation of more
than $300 billion in lederal
funds as well as in determin­
ing the number of Congres~
siomd representatives that
each state JS allowed.
"Most people arc
cautious about giving out
personal information to unso­
hciteu phone callers or visi­
lors, but the Census is an ex~
to the ntle/~ said Hill
Moak, President/CEO of the
Mississippj BBB '~Scammers
know that the public is more
to share personal data
wben participating in the Cen­
sus, so they take advantage
of this opportunity by pos~
as government workers to
get access to personal finan­
cial infonnatlon."
1be RRR offers the
lollowmg advice to help dis­
t inguish ~etween bona fIde
Census workers and con art­
ists:
-U.S. Census workers win
have identification, a
handheld device and a confi­
dentiality notice. Caution:
never invite strangers into
your home.
,U.S. Census workers will not
ask for your Social Securify
number or any information
about hank or credit c.:anl ac­
counts.
"u.s, Census workers will not
ask you for money or say that
you owe money,
·U.S. Census workcrs wilJ not
hara.'ils or intimidate you.
·U.S. Census workcrs will not
cont~'1cl you by email -- only
by phone, by mail or in per­
son.
For more informa­
tion regarding the 20 I 0 Cen­
sus~ visit the U.S. Census
Bureau online at
www,ecnsus.gov.