Residents in Richardson became suspicious of U.S. Census Bureau employees who were canvassing their neighborhood and called police Monday.
Neighbors said they were unaware work on the 2010 census had already begun.
The U.S. Census Bureau said its employees can be easily identifed. Spokeswoman Kat Smith said each employee is equipped with a badge, a handheld computer, a vest and a carrying case that will identify him or her as a census worker.
Some residents said their neighbors overreacted by calling police.
"If they're trying to assess what houses are occupied and how much of the neighborhood is for sale or rent, have at it," Richard Colodny said.
But others said crooks can convincingly impersonate almost anyone in this day and age.
"There are a lot of fakes out there," one resident said.
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Smith said census workers are always prepared to their identification badges. She encouraged residents to call a local census bureau office to verify the workers' employment if it would make them feel safer.
"Only the police know what the IDs look like," she said. "We don't want them being duplicated."
Census workers will be canvassing North Texas neighborhoods for at the least the next two months. The census surveys will be sent to homes in April 2010.
