Phishing for Census Information
Phishing scams abound. This isn't anything new; in fact, it's sort of old news. It seems that whenever some tragedy hits, and event of note, or just a famous person gains some extra notice, phishers will gear up and attempt to exploit it.
Enter the U.S. Census. The Census must be an absolute dream for phishers looking to capture personal information. We are being told to divulge data directly by the U.S. government, and that request is being reinforced through radio and TV ads atop a sense of civic duty.
Just keep in mind:
- The Census Bureau does NOT conduct the 2010 Census via the Internet
- The Census Bureau does not send emails about participating in the 2010 Census
- The Census Bureau never:
- Asks for your full social security number
- Asks for money or a donation
- Sends requests on behalf of a political party
- Requests PIN codes, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts
Also - if you feel you are being scammed - tell them. Forward the email or web site URL to the Census Bureau at ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov.
The best advice: be skeptical. For more pragmatic steps on protecting yourself from phishing steps, do some Google searches, there is plenty of info. Here is one such resource.
