OK, I got a call today from the "Census Bureau" about this ACS.

I would not give them any information over the phone. Who knows anything about this total invasion of privacy?

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/about_t ... merican_community_survey/

It's about demographics, you know, so they can give the data to O-B-Wan and Pelosi to determine that certain locations/racial groups/low income groups need more federal handouts.
It's the perfect way for them to dream up new programs and of course, raise taxes to pay for those programs.

They ask some really personal questions that make no sense, why they want/need that info.

What time do you go to work?
What time do you come home?
How long does it take you to get to work?
How many people live in your house? Then they want names and ages......?
How much did you pay for your house?

Questions that have no logical reasoning other than to invade your privacy.

When I refused to give them the information, they basically threatened me. I told them to send it in the mail.

Geez, never heard of it......we screen all our house calls...so that's why I suppose. I am not interested in them knowing more about me and mine.....I would just forget it TB.

They claim non-compliance is a punishable offense, by fines and jail time.

meh.

I would be a little weirded answering those questions, too.

If it is a legit census survey, I can guess what they are looking for... the mobility of our society. Commute times, work schedules... there have been real studies on this.

I would almost feel more comfortable answering these questions on a web site. A cold call could really be from anyone. How do I know, for 100% surety, that the number calling is from the US Census Dept?

First of all I don't have a 'home phone' just the cell and I don't get those calls. Worked so far. And if a number calls my cell that I don't recognize I don't answer. It really pisses me off those people like that they target the elderly people a lot.

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And just how did they establish their credentials?
Flash a badge over the phone?
Or say "do you know how important I am?!?"

Isn't there a right to privacy act or something like that. Tell them you have a friend in Nebraska who says for them to buzz off........just don't give them my name......right to privacy you know........

I would simply say I feel uncomforable answering these questions over the phone. The threat of non compliance makes it even more qustionable. OOpppps call dropped. Caller ID? ..... Dont answer that!

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I luv Caller ID. I simply don't answer the phone at all unless I know the number.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one here who doesn't feel this is necessary. Coach, you are right, and this caller didn't understand that, RED FLAG #1. Tommy, threat of non-compliance, RED FLAG #2. All the weird questions, RED FLAG #3. Marcus, I know nothing!

The notion that they said they sent the forms twice and two additional notifications (which we never got), I told him, send the forms again, Well we can't do that." "Why not?". "We need this information now." Yea, but you ain't gettin' it from me over the phone.

I have a friend who works for the Census. He gets hired as a contractor when they do their fact checking and he goes to the house personally. That's what they are hired to do. I've never heard of them using the phone for this information.

Now here's an opinion in terms of when someone gives you that old rant about: its the law, its against the law, etc., non-compliance punishable by jail and/or fine. When I hear these creaky, old excuses, my immediate response is to let them know that I'm from Missouri and that they should "show me". In other words, ask for the cite, law, code or regulation that they are quoting from. Generally that shuts them up with a grumble. "Really, can you give me the US code or regulation/written policy you are referring to?" In my over XX years in Government, I've found that even when someone can quote something, they are wrong or it isn't applicable in the situation.

Also, most federal offenses that carry jail time are contained at 18 United States Code.

Just some thoughts...

I wouldn't answer those questions, either. If it was a .gov website, I would. Or an official census mailing. But not over the phone.




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HOW TO ANSWER THE SURVEY:

They sent my Census form back! AGAIN!!!
In response to the question: "Do you have any dependents?"
I replied .......
12 million illegal immigrants; 3 million crack heads; 42 million unemployable lazy bastards; the entire cast of the Jerry Springer Show; 2 million people in over 243 prisons; 300,000 leftovers from Katrina; half of Mexico; and hundreds more in the U.S. House and Senate.
Apparently, this wasn't an acceptable answer. I have no idea why??? I support all of them.