Beginning in March, 2010 the Census Bureau will mail a 10-question form to every household in the United States. Because all residents in the country are required to answer these questions, and the public is being reminded over and over that they should participate, scammers see this as a great opportunity to collect personal information. Our seniors tend to be trusting, and they will be targets.

Since most of us are not with our elders 24 hours a day, education is our best means of protecting them - and ourselves - from scams and con artists posing as Census workers. Here's what you need to know:

March, 2010: The date Census forms will be mailed or delivered to American households;

April 1, 2010: National Census Day - the day by which completed Census forms should be mailed back;

April - July, 2010: Census workers will make personal visits to households that did not mail in their Census form. Workers may also attempt to contact households by telephone if personal visits have been unsuccessful.

Census data will NEVER be requested via e-mail.

All Census workers will wear an ID badge and will carry a soft bag or briefcase that has the 2010 census logo stamped on the front. Workers will not request entry to your home. They will remain outside the door.

They will NEVER ask for your Social Security number, your bank account number, credit card numbers, or any personal financial information.

How to Avoid Census Scammers:

1. Send in the form. If you mail in the form before April 1 there will be no need for a Census worker to visit your home or to call on the phone. If someone calls or shows up at your door, you may turn them away.

2. If you haven't returned the form and a Census worker visits, look for an identifying badge and marked bag or briefcase.

3. If you have any concerns you can call the Census Call Bureau at 1-800-923-8282. The Census worker should have this number available and offer it to you.

4. Do not permit a worker to enter your home. Census workers are not permitted to come inside and will not ask.

5. Do not provide Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers. A real Census worker will not ask for this information.

6. Use common sense.

Note: If you or your parent have more than one residence, such as a primary home and a vacation home, you may receive more than one Census form. For information about how to proceed, visit the official web page of the U.S. Census at http://blogs.census.gov/2010census/snowbirds/