Be cautious answering census questions

Be cautious answering census questions

Bureau employees won't use e-mail and won't ask for Social Security or bank numbers

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09162/976339-94.stm?cmpid=lifestyle.xml#ixzz0IEz0jJ2K&C



Cooperative, but cautious.

That's the advice the Better Business Bureau is giving to consumers when they are contacted by members of the 2010 U.S. Census.

"Most people are rightfully cautious and won't give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors," said BBB President Warren King. "However, [Census Bureau employees are] an exception to the rule."

Those employees already have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Next, they will collect information about every person living at those addresses, including their name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

"It's important that people provide that information," Mr. King said.

Census data is used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year. It also is used to determine the number of members each state may send to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Households are required by law to comply with the Census Bureau's request for information. Unfortunately, that mandate has opened the door for con artists who are posing as census workers and asking people for their Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers or other sensitive financial information.

Although the Census Bureau will collect information by mail, phone or personal visits, it won't use e-mail.

Those who receive an e-mail that purports to be from the Census Bureau, and the odds of receiving one are great, delete it. No matter how "official" it looks, delete it. And no one should ever click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that supposedly is from the Census Bureau.

Mr. King said law enforcement officials in several states have issued warnings that scammers posing as Census Bureau employees are knocking on doors and asking for donations and Social Security numbers.

How can the public tell the difference between a Census Bureau employee seeking legitimate information and a crook trying to raid their bank accounts or steal their identity?

Mr. King said census workers will have a badge, a handheld device, a census bureau bag and a confidentiality notice. Residents should ask to see their identification and badge before answering any questions.

If a visitor purporting to be from the Census Bureau asks for a Social Security number or financial information, the resident should not give it to them, should close the door and should call the local police.

"While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers [and they won't] solicit donations," Mr. King said.

He said the BBB's "cooperative but cautious" campaign is part of a partnership arrangement with the Census Bureau to help it collect the most accurate information it can. The public can do its part by cooperating with legitimate Census Bureau employees and reporting the con artists to the police.

For more information on the Better Business Bureau, go to www.pittsburgh.bbb.org or call 412-456-2700. For more information on the 2010 Census, go to www.census.gov or call 412-770-3360.
Damage claim denied

Ted and Mae Carmack, of Bethel Park, were hoping the damage caused by vandals to the former home of her elderly parents would be covered by their homeowner's policy.

One or more vandals broke into the home on Mount Washington in April and opened a faucet in the basement; 253,000 gallons of water went down a floor drain. The Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority sent them a bill for $2,885.93, worked out a payment plan with them and suggested they see if the homeowner's policy would cover the damage.

But the Homesite Insurance Co. of Pennsylvania on behalf of GMAC Insurance Homeowner's Program denied the claim for the damage to the house and the wasted water.

It said the elderly couple's homeowner's policy covers only owner-occupied dwellings. The couple moved out last summer and their home has been vacant since.

The insurance company also said it doesn't cover losses for vandalism or malicious mischief "if the dwelling has been vacant for more than 30 consecutive days immediately before the loss."

Mr. Carmack said neither he nor his in-laws were aware of the no-occupancy/no-coverage provision or the one regarding vandalism. "I called GMAC, canceled the homeowner's policy I had with them and got a better rate and better coverage from the [Automobile Association of America]," he said.

His advice to others in similar situations includes obtaining and closely reading a copy of an elderly person's homeowner's policy, shutting off the water at the curb, placing multiple locks on doors and windows, placing lights on timing devices that go on and off at various times, visiting at least weekly on different days and at different times and notifying the local police that the house is vacant.