• The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years.
• The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
• The next census is in 2010.
• Your participation in the census is required by law.
• It takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
• Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.
• Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.

Useful and accurate information provided:

Link to Snopes.com for interesting information regarding scams and cautions:
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/census.asp

Link to the Official US Government website regarding the Census:
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

Note from the Better Business Bureau:
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson

2010 Census  to Begin

 THIS IS  PRETTY BASIC ADVICE; BUT, IN TODAY'S TIMES, I CAN SEE IT COULD LEAVE AN OPEN  DOOR FOR PASSING OUT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION.

WARNING:  2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

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 U.S. 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.

PLEASE  SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND  FRIENDS.

Summation:
I hope this this information will pre-empt any rumors and or forward e-mails regarding the census 2010.

Wayne