Con artists use census to scam

The 2010 census is gearing up, and so are con artists who use it as a ploy to steal your identity. In March, census forms will be mailed to households across the country. Then, census takers will be going door to door. Experts say be cautious and ask questions to avoid being a victim of a census scam. The first step for the census is to mail out forms to every household. If you fill out the form and send it back, a census worker should not be visiting your house. The forms that the census sends out will include 10 questions. And it will not ask for any confidential information, like social security numbers or bank information. Also, you can not fill that form out online, so if you get any online solicitations, they are scams. If you send the form back, a census worker should not have to visit your home. But if you do get a knock on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. You can visit the 2010 census website for more information on what to expect. Go to 2010.census.gov. Also check out some tips the better business bureau offers about how to protect your identity: indy.bbb.org.