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TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory warning Floridians about scams related to the 2010 U.S. Census. This month, census forms are being delivered to each household throughout the United States, and the Attorney General advised Floridians to beware of any efforts by con artists to collect personal data or engage in other fraud related to the census. The Attorney General also cautioned Floridians to verify the survey is legitimate if they have any concerns.

“Before submitting personal information, our citizens should make sure they are answering a legitimate census request, not a scam,” said Attorney General McCollum.

The Attorney General offered the following tips from the U.S. Census Bureau for consumers to remember when participating in the 2010 Census:

- The U.S. Census Bureau does not conduct the 2010 Census via the Internet nor will the U.S. Census Bureau send emails about participating in the 2010 Census. Do not respond to an email request for personal data.

- The U.S. Census Bureau will never ask for your full social security number. Do not provide it to anyone claiming to work for the Bureau.

- The U.S. Census Bureau does not ask for money or donations. Do not pay any fees to someone who claims that fees are a necessary part of the process.

- The U.S. Census Bureau will never request PIN codes, passwords, or other similar information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts. Do not provide this personal identification information to someone who may be trying to commit fraud.

Consumers should report any fraudulent activity to ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov or contact the United States Postal Service if they receive mail from someone falsely representing the Census Bureau. Consumers may also verify the legitimacy of their survey by calling the regional census office regarding mail surveys or the National Processing Center at 301-763-INFO (4636) for phone surveys. For more information, including the location of the closest regional census office, consumers may visit http://www.census.gov.