10/14/09

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger is warning Oregonians about con-artists, posing as U.S. Census workers. Conducted every ten years, the U.S. Census is an important process that helps to both define legislative districts, and determine how to allocate $300 billion to local, state and tribal governments each year.

For every person living at an address the U.S., the U.S. Census will ask for a name, age, gender, race, ethnic origin, birth date, marital status, employment status, and other similar information. Con-artists posing as Census employees ask for donations, personal financial information, and/or Social Security numbers. Here are some tips to tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and con-artists:

1. U.S. Census Bureau will not contact you by E-mail.

2. U.S. Census workers will not ask you about past debt, solicit money, or in any way harass you about finances.

3. U.S. Census workers will not ask for you Social Security Number, banking information, or credit card number.

4. U.S. Census workers will have identification; a copy of the notification letter you received, or should have received, in the mail describing the survey; and, depending on the area, a laptop and laptop case bearing the insignia of the U.S. Census Bureau.