Hot to spot Census scams

As the U.S. Census gets underway, the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department is cautioning consumers to learn how to spot potential scams.

Every U.S. household will receive a short, 10-question form in the mail within the next few months. It requires that you account for everyone living at your address as of April 1 and includes a prepaid envelope so you can mail it back.

Any request for census information will be clearly marked as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.

• You will receive a letter from the Census Bureau Director notifying you that in a few days, your household will receive a form in the mail, a phone call from the Census Bureau or a visit from a Census Bureau representative.

• The Census Bureau will never ask for any information to be submitted online.

• A census worker will only come to your home to follow-up if they do not receive your form. If someone knocks on your door and identifies himself/herself as a Census worker: Ask to see their official government badge marked with just their name. You may also ask them for a picture ID from another source to confirm their identity.

If you still are not certain about their identity, call the Regional Census Center at 800-923-8282 to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau.

Most importantly, the Census Bureau will NEVER, under any circumstances, ask to enter your home