Safety Tips - It's almost time for the United States Census.  As we learned in American History, each state has two senators representing it in Congress, but it is in the House of Representatives where the masses are represented.  The House of Representatives number has, since 1917, been capped at 435.

Done every ten years, the census helps the federal government redistribute representatives according to population concentrations.  The voting districts are redrawn in each state according to population.  Each voting district has an elected representative in Congress.

Now that you know a little about why we have the census every ten years,here are a few safety tips being circulated by the Better Business Bureau.  It seems there is always someone out there trying to defraud the public.  The census is the perfect opportunity.

The first phase of the census is verifying addresses so a master mailing list can be developed.  In some cases, census workers involved in this phase may knock on your door, but they should only be asking about the actual home or residence.  The census questionnaires will be mailed out or delivered in March, 2010.  After a certain period of time, census workers will hit the streets to obtain information for those addresses for which no questionnaire was mailed back. 

First and foremost, 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.  All census workers have white ID badges bearing the words "U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census."  Those words are in red on the top of the white badge with a small U.S. flag in the upper left corner.  The Bureau of the Census' seal should be written in blue below that.  It should also say "census enumerator" and bear the worker's name.  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.

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.  Anyone asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.  If a census worker with all the right credentials asks you questions that you are uncomfortable answering, you can refuse to give that information.  REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR  ADDRESS.

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.

Also, the Census Bureau has decided not to work with Acorn on gathering the information.  If you are approached by an individual who says they are representing Acorn, do not give them any information.

While answering questions from a stranger at your door might seem like a hassle, it is in your best interest to provide the information, but keep in mind these safety tips.