Scam artists may take advantage of census, area law enforcement warn

But with the federal head count now underway, citizens need to be on the lookout for scam artists looking to take advantage of the situation.

Shelbyville police detective Brian Crews said that while they have not had any reports of census related scams, rip-off artists are already busy using other methods of lifting hard earned cash out of their victim's bank accounts.

Just this week, Crews said they received a report of scammers calling residents to tell them that the debit cards had been deactivated.

All they have to do to get the card reinstated, Crews said, is to give them your debit card number.

"Of course, then they can go online and order things with your card, " Crews said.

The same goes for the investigators at the Bedford County Sheriff's Department. Detective Brian Farris said they haven't had any reports of scams involving the census as of yet, but they are hearing about other rip-offs.

Farris said that their office field about four or five reports a week on scams through the mail, but another type of scam they are currently dealing with has to do with personal ads that prey on single women.

The scammers entice their victims with the hopes of a long distance romance, which usually includes a request to set up a new bank account, and that's when the crooks take the money and run.

Another very popular scam in the area is the "International Lottery," which Farris said does not exist.

If someone says they require advance fees to you to acquire your "winnings," it's a ripoff, Farris said. Also, it is illegal for U.S. citizens to enter a foreign lottery.

Watch out

As for census-related scams, the state's Division of Consumer Affairs warns residents that scam artists often use the guise of government-related programs to empty their victim's wallets.

"Government-benefits fraud is more prevalent than credit card fraud," says Consumer Affairs Director Mary Clement. "We don't want Tennesseans to fall prey to identity theft or worse."

Potential victims should be aware that the Census Bureau does not conduct the survey via the Internet, nor do they send e-mails about participating in the 2010 Census.

They also warn that the Census Bureau will never:

* Ask you for your full Social Security number

* Request for money or a donation

* Send requests on behalf of a political party

* Ask for PIN codes, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.

What to do

If someone knocks on your door claiming to be with the U.S. Census, always check for a valid Census ID badge. You should also ask for a picture ID from another source to confirm their identity. Some census workers might carry a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag.

But if you are still concerned about their identity, you can call the regional census office at (704) 936-5300 to verify that you have been selected to take part in the survey.

If you have received a census-related e-mail you believe is fraudulent, do not reply or click on any links within the message. Also, do not open any attachments, because it may contain code that could infect your computer.

Instead, forward the e-mail to ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov, and after you do so, delete the message. You will not receive a confirmation e-mail after forwarding the information, but the Census Bureau will investigate the information and notify you of its findings.

If you believe that someone is trying to rip you off through the mail, the Bureau advises you to notify U.S. Postal Inspectors at postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/MailFraud.aspx