Census gathering means identity theft risk rises
March 19th, 2010 joshua
As the federal government collects Census 2010 data in coming months, it’s very likely consumers will encounter an identity theft scam.
Millions of Americans will be surrendering personal data, and those preying on that information are already hard at work devising ways of tricking consumers into thinking they are participating in the Census.
Government-benefits fraud is reported at higher rates annually than credit card fraud, according to the director of Consumer Affairs in Tennessee, in a report from WTVC-TV.
Scam artists will often use the guise of operating a government-related program. This recently happened often in recent federal programs like Cash-for-Clunkers, the Stimulus Package and for several one-time giveaways of federal funds.
These scams are often perpetrated on the Internet, through email or other sites.
It’s important for consumers to remember the federal government does not contact anyone via email. Thus, it does not collect Census information on the Internet.
The Census Bureau never asks for a FULL Social Security number. It also never asks for money or donations.
Census Bureau officials do not work for an individual political party and should never represent one.
