Crooks Use Census to Con Americans; Female Condom Battles HIV, AIDS
LEMON: The U.S. Census shifting into high gear right now, over the coming days and weeks. The federal government will count every man, woman, and child living in the United States. It is a ritual mandated every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution. And the final count has far reaching effects from determining congressional districts and government funding. But clever crooks can use the census to prey on the unaware. We always know that they were looking for every opportunity. There's Christine Durst, the CEO of Staffcentrix and expert on spotting scams. She joins us from Boston. I just got mine and I opened it right here. This is just really the notice that they are going to get in touch with me. The reason is the correct place. And they are actually the Census Department, because of what?</s>CHRISTINE DURST, CEO, STAFFCENTRIX: The address that you are showing on that particular envelope, Don, is showing the Census Bureau address. There may be various addresses for different locations. But what's more important is what's in the contents that you are receiving. What you are receiving there I guess is notification that you are going to be receiving a complete census form and encouraging to you fill it out when you do.</s>LEMON: It says in about one week, you will receive a 2010 census. You are right. Here's the thing then. Tell us what we should look for when it comes to doing this. What scam opportunities are people looking for?</s>DURST: A lot of the scams are happening on the Internet right now. And because of letters like the one you are receiving and public service announcements on television and radio, people are primed to answer questions that come from the census or places that appear to be the census. Things people need to be aware of, Don, is the Internet is not the place where the census is going to be happening. It's going to happen through the mail, by phone, and in person. If you receive any e-mail saying it's part of the census, don't answer that e-mail. Delete it. Secondly, the census is not going to ask for your Social Security number or credit card or pin numbers or pass words or anything like that.</s>LEMON: No personal information, right?</s>DURST: Not personal in that respect. They want personal information like who is living in your home and how many people and do you own or rent, and the race and age of the individuals.</s>LEMON: What are red flags that we should look for? If there are red flags, say, no way, don't do this. What's that?</s>DURST: Those are the red flags. If I that are asking for information, if it arrives by e-mail, it's not from the Census Bureau. Take a few moments to forward it to the Census Bureau e-mail flashing on your screen. And if you do receive a rogue e-mail like that, take a few moments to forward to the Census Bureau. The e-mail that's flashing on the screen or that's coming across the screen.</s>LEMON: What are about -- quickly because we're running out of time. What about someone pretending to be a census taker? What should they do if someone does that?</s>DURST: If you want to be a -- I'm sorry. In recognizing them, the individual who comes to your door, if they are doing door-to-door, they would have a hand-held device, they will have a badge indicating they are with the Census Bureau. And they'll also have a confidentiality agreement that they will show you to indicate they are legitimately part of the census.</s>LEMON: Christine Durst, good information. Sorry about the delay that caused over talking. Thank you so much. Good information. Always check I.D.s and don't give passwords or other information, especial Social Security numbers and bank account numbers and those things. Thank you so much. We appreciate it.</s>DURST: Thank you.</s>LEMON: Conducting the census is not cheap. In fact, it's frighteningly expensive, but you would be shocked how much the government is spending to carry out some of those tasks. CNN's Kate Baldwin joins with us tomorrow night with an eye-popping look at where your money is going. Also, an official with the Census Bureau will join us to explain why this is vitally necessary to the country and you. Tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. eastern. Join us then. Keeping women safe from a killer. We're talking about HIV and AIDS. That is a goal of a major new outreach effort in the nation's capital. Organizers are counting on a revamped female condom that they are giving out for free. Kate Bolduan has more from Washington.</s>KATE BOLDUAN, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Saturdays at the Lamar Edwards Salon in Washington are a little different these days.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many people have heard of the female condom?</s>BOLDUAN: As part of a new citywide campaign, the first large scale effort of its kind, health officials are trying to promote and distribute female condoms throughout the district. Salon owner, Gerald Armstrong, jumped at the chance to take part, offering the protection to all of his clients.</s>GERALD ARMSTRONG, CO-OWNER, LAMAR EDWARDS SALON: It gives the women a sense of empowerment about their own protection. We talk about beauty and we talk about hair and makeup and things to make them feel better. We should start talking about things that help them to live longer.</s>BOLDUAN: From salon demonstrations to college campus safe sex parties.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On the package, there is a lot of directions about how to use it. You see that? All right.</s>BOLDUAN: These outreach efforts are targeting women with the hope of breaking the ice on an uncomfortable but potentially life- saving issue, protect yourself and slow this startling trend. HIV-AIDS is the leading cause of death for black women between the ages of 25 and 34 nationwide.</s>SHANNON HADER, D.C. HIV-AIDS ADMINISTRATION: We are very, very concerned with making sure that women in the district realize that HIV in fact is a woman's disease too.</s>BOLDUAN: Backed by a half million dollar grant from Mac Cosmetics, they are handing out a half million female condoms, hoping to send a strong message with them.</s>CELIA MAXWELL, HOWARD UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S HEALTH INSTITUTE: HIV and AIDS has declared war, particularly on African-American women. I feel that we are justified, as health care providers, to look for every single avenue to fight back.</s>BOLDUAN: Dr. Celia Maxwell said the female condom not new, but an earlier version never gained popularity. The newest release, known as FC2, is said to be more affordable and more comfortable.</s>MAXWELL: And if it's used properly and if it's not damaged, I would see that the effectiveness would be about the same as a male condom.</s>BOLDUAN: Back at the salon, Elethia Singletary said it's worth trying.</s>ELETHIA SINGLETARY, SALON CUSTOMER: I definitely think it's worth of investment. You can't risk one night of a time of turmoil and trouble when you could have used the female condom.</s>LEMON: Kate joins us now from our nation's capital. Kate, why the big push now?</s>BOLDUAN: This newest version of the condom, FC2, did just come out recently. This awareness campaign was really giving heft and strength with the big grant from the Mac Cosmetics. But Listen to the statistics. The average rate in the U.S. is less than 1 percent. Here, for D.C., the rate of infection is 3 percent. This passes the threshold of what's considered a severe epidemic. Really, that's a real number and health officials are hoping with this campaign even, though it's early on, they hope the message can spread faster than the disease, especially with African- American women.</s>LEMON: Kate, great reporting. We certainly hope so. Thank you very much.</s>BOLDUAN: Thanks, Don.</s>LEMON: As injured American soldiers return to the home front, one grateful American home builder welcomes them in style. He is the "CNN Hero" of the week. Also ahead, it was deeper than they thought. Three people riding horses got stranded in an Arizona river. We'll tell you what happened to the riders and the horses? A programming reminder for you. Tonight, a popular local official with a secret ignites a national media storm. A private choice with very public consequences. CNN's broadcast premier of "Her Name Was Steven," tonight at 8:00 eastern.