The best way to protect your aging parents against Census-related scams is to educate them about the census. Also, encourage them to complete and return the 10 question form as soon as they receive it in the mail, certainly no later than April 1st. The homes that have not returned the form by April 1st will receive an in-person visit by a census taker.
Why do we have the census and how will it help the elderly?
The US Constitution requires a census be taken every 10 years. It’s what determines the allocation of $400 billion in federal funds each year. These funds go to the very services the elderly need and use: hospitals, senior centers, emergency services and more. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including federal agencies and law enforcement.
How will the elderly get their Census form and be counted?
A 10 question form will be mailed out in March. All your parent has to do is complete and return the form by April 1st, National Census Day. If they don’t return the form, a census taker will visit their home during the months of April to July.
Share these facts with your parent.
- All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name. They may also have a “U.S. Census Bureau” bag.
- No census worker will enter a residence.
- No census employee will ever ask for information such as social security, bank account or credit card numbers.
- If there are any questions about a census taker, call the Census Call Bureau at 1-800-923-8282
- If you do not respond to a census taker at your door, the census taker will leave a contact number for you to call and re-schedule a visit. If they don’t hear from you, they will return.
What are the key dates?
March 2010 – Census forms are mailed or delivered to households
April 1, 2010 - National Census Day—use this day as a point of reference for sending your completed forms back in the mail
April – July 2010 – Census takers visit households that did not return a form by mail
Note: If your parent maintains two separate residences (some call these folks “snowbirds”), read the special directions at the Census official web page. http://blogs.census.gov/2010census/snowbirds/
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Hi Dale,
Great census posting, and tomorrow I am linking to it on my blog. I have worked with technology and seniors off and on during my career, and posted a number of related pieces — scams, urban legends, etc — on my blog, but I had not thought of the census. A great addition. Thanks!
Marti
This is a solid post, Dale. Very informative! I, like Marti above, had never thought of the census as scam material, but I’ve already heard stories of it happening so it’s good to have your blog to make sure the seniors in my circle are aware.
Great advice, Dale. Thanks! I have just entered a post on our blog about this post, and I hope that you don’t mind.
Thanks!
- Tim