With U.S. Census questionnaires set to begin arriving in Katy-area mailboxes in just two weeks, Harris County is taking strides to protect its residents’ privacy and ensure they know exactly what to expect as the 2010 Census gets fully under way.
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said county officials are embarking on a campaign to educate residents about fraud and identity theft issues, assuring them personal will be safe and confidential.
“We must make certain that our residents feel comfortable completing their Census questionnaires so we can ensure an accurate count, which will in turn enable Harris County to receive the funding and political representation it deserves,” Emmett said. “As the third-largest county in the nation, our communities stand to gain billions in federal dollars for transportation, infrastructure, health care, essential social services and more – but a complete count is necessary.”
Census forms will be mailed out on March 16 and are due to be mailed back by April 15.
Harris County residents should not expect to have a Census worker knock on their door unless they do not fill out and return their questionnaire by the April deadline. Census Bureau representatives will take to the streets after April 15 to ensure Harris County and cities across the country participate.
To better protect their personal information from con artists and potential scams, residents should keep in mind the following:
- When the 2010 Census takes place, residents will receive a letter from the Census Bureau director notifying them that their household will soon 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 Social Security numbers or other sensitive financial information, including bank account numbers.
- The Census Bureau will never contact you via e-mail, and questionnaires may not be completed online.
- Census employees will carry an official identification badge with an expiration date and a Department of Commerce watermark.
- Census takers are trained to conduct business outside the door, so residents should be cautious of people who insist on entering their households.
Confidentiality and trust are of utmost importance to the U.S. Census Bureau, Emmett stressed, so residents should stand assured that information they submit will be protected.
The Census gathers information to produce statistics, minus any identifying characteristics, and responses will not be shared with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement. Additionally, all Census Bureau employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data.
Emmett said it was important to county every resident so Harris County does not lose critical funding and political representation.
By: John Pape on Fri, Mar 5, 2010
News