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With the 2010 Census underway, the Federal Trade Commission wants consumers to steer clear of con artists who pretend to be Census takers but are really out to steal personal information or commit some other type of fraud.

The FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, tells you what to watch for in a new Consumer Alert, How to Recognize and Report 2010 Census Scams.  The Census is administered only through the mail and in person.  Census takers do not ask for Social Security numbers, credit card information, or other sensitive data.  To learn more about how the Census works and how to avoid and report scams, go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt175.pdf. 

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.  To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).  The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  The FTC s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

(FYI census scams)