For many college students, the current Census will be the first one they’ve experienced as adults. With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card, or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as salary range, the census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations.

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 Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that is supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.

Theft-Proof Your Passwords

With identity theft on the rise nationwide, password protection has become increasingly vital. Guarding your passwords and the accounts they protect begins with choosing them wisely. All too often, people choose passwords that are very easy to remember. The problem is that this often means they are also easy for would-be thieves to guess. Follow these suggestions to choose your passwords well:

1. Don’t use information that would be easy for someone to access. Never use your children’s names, birthdays, pets’ names, your street address or the last four digits of your phone number.
2. Don’t use letters only. Combine letters, numbers and other characters such as $ and !.
3. Change your password often. Don’t use the same password for more than six months without making a change.
4. Do not keep a written copy of your passwords in your wallet or calendar.

Be Prepared for Flu Outbreak

Reports now assert that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) could claim the lives of between 30,000 and 90,000 Americans this year. H1N1 flu virus infection can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the H1N1 flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.

If you become infected, follow these guidelines to minimize the spread of the illness:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hrs after that fever has ended. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
• Check with your health care provider to see if you should take antiviral medications.
• Keep away from others as much as possible. Do not go to work or school while ill.