Scott Stevenson, founder and CEO of EliminateIDTheft shares how to protect yourself from con artists who plan to take advantage of the census

As the 2010 Census questionnaire arrives in mailboxes, Americans need to be on the lookout for scams, fraud and everything in between. The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identity stolen every year, and with so much confusion surrounding the Census, it can be easy for con artists to swindle important information out of you.

To avoid becoming a victim, keep a sharp watch on your email inbox and mailbox; and familiarize yourself with what the Census questionnaire should actually look like. A copy of one can be found here.

Protect your identity by safeguarding your personal information and taking extra care to shield confidential information from unwanted eyes during the Census by following these guidelines:

• Check your questionnaire. The census questionnaire should contain 10 questions, none of which should ask for sensitive information such as your bank account or Social Security number. If your questionnaire asks for this data, it’s a fake! You should only receive one Census form in the mail; don’t fill out any more than that.
• Watch your email. The census will NEVER contact you via e-mail. If you receive an email asking for personal information sent from the U.S. census, it’s a scam. Be sure not to open any links from these emails, as they may contain viruses or spyware.
• Phishing. The census will not ask you to fill out an online form. If you receive an e-mail asking that fill out a form online, it is a scam.
• Know your facts. If you do not fill out the census survey, it’s very likely a U.S. census worker will visit your home. Ask for their id and badge before volunteering any information. If they ask for your social security number or money to pay for the census, don’t give them either, as this is a common scam.
• Report fraud. If any of the above scenarios occur, contact your local police.

Safeguard your good name and your credit by monitoring activity in your name. Learn more about EliminateIDTheft's identity protection package.