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JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Scammers have targeted the Census.

Scam artists have distributed bogus 2010 Census forms across the nation in hopes of stealing valuable personal information.

In some cases, the criminals switched the real form with the fake one so no one realizes the crime until it's too late.

So how can you tell if your census form isn't the real deal?

• The official paperwork will never ask for your social security number, bank account information or signature.
• The real forms also have a color background and ten questions.
• The bogus version typically has been black and white with anywhere from five to nine questions.

If you think you filled out a fake Census, experts suggest you proceed like any other case of identity theft: contact your banks and credit bureaus to spot illegal use.