Real Census calls won't ask bank info

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -  The 2010 Census continues, but reports of scammers claiming to be from the Census Bureau are popping up.

The US Census Bureau told 24 Hour News 8 there are two types of phone calls being placed: a quality control call to double check information you provided; or to clear up a question about the information, such as if you claimed four residents in your home but wrote down five names.

But in each case, the bureau assures, only questions asked on the census form will be talked about.

"If you are called, they shouldn't be asking you anything other than what was collected on the census and that's your name, your age, the number of people who live in your household, their names and ages, and if you own/rent or whatnot," said Pat MacDonell of the US Census Bureau. "So it's really pretty simple. People shouldn't give any Social Security numbers, bank numbers, anything of that nature."

MacDonell added, "If somebody does ask you for that information, it's most likely fraudulent."

If you have concerns, contact the US Census Bureau at 1.800.432.1495.