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Scams
and Consumer Advisories - listing of
reported scams or frauds on file with the NM Attorney General's
Office
NM Sex
Offenders - listing of registered sex offenders throughout the
city
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?
Better Business Bureau 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 E- mail, so be on the lookout for E- mail scams
impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments
in an E- mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
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