Starting now, United States Census workers will begin canvassing neighborhoods, and in a world in which fraud and identity theft are real dangers, residents should be cautious that they do not become victims of these crimes.

Census workers who knock on your doors between now and the end of the year are there to verify address information. According to a news release sent to the Courier by SEACUS Program Manager Royce Hunt, the Better Business Bureau recently gave some advice on how to tell the difference between a con artist and a census worker.

If United States Census workers knock on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. Do not, however, invite someone you do not know into your home.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even to those who claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

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 bureau.

Starting in February 2010, census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to all households in the Gila Valley.

Every residence will receive a questionnaire of about 10 questions. A small amount of the population will be asked more detailed socioeconomic questions through the annual American Community Survey.

For more information on the Census go to 2010census.gov.