The Better Business Bureau is advising homeowners to wary of fraudulent U.S. Census Bureau workers.

Scott Thomas, trade practice investigator with the Better Business Bureau serving eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, said these phony "census workers" can show up at your doorstep demanding personal information.

He said valid Census Bureau workers will come to a residence to verify information pertaining to the residence so a census form can be sent. But Thomas said a real U.S. Census Bureau worker will not ask for personal information, such as bank account information, and credit card or social security numbers.

"Obviously, if they're asking any of those questions, they're going to be fraudulent," he said. "If you feel uncomfortable, don't provide them with any information."

A real U.S. Census employee, Thomas said, will have a badge identifying the employee, a handheld device for entering information and a census bureau bag. He said if you are unsure if the workers is an valid an employee, you can call the U.S. Census Bureau to confirm that a worker was sent to your area, and you can arrange to have that employee come back for the information. You can reach the regional Census Bureau office in Chicago at 312-454-2700 or 866-861-2010.

"When in doubt, you don't have to do anything, just check it out," he said.