News and Bulletins:
2010 Census to Begin
WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better
Business Bureau
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by
Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but
cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity
theft. The first phase of the 2010 US. Census is under way
as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households
across the country. Eventually, more
than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in
the United States and will gather information about every
person living at each address including name, age, gender,
race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference
between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers
the following advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your
door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census
Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see
their identification and their badge before answering their
questions. However, you should never invite anyone you
don't know into your home.
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.
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 AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census
Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or
credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit
donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT
with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK
WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. .
No Acorn
worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census
Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you
by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the
Census Bureau will not
contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams
impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or
open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from
the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org
The Homeowner's Association has received a report of vandalism in our neighborhood. a resident has reported their mailbox was knocked over and the post was broken.
It has been reported that a bear has been spotted in the neighborhood. Residents are asked to keep their garbage cans inside their garage. If that is not possible then please keep them sealed shut. This will keep the bear from dumping garbage in the streets and may deter it from returning.