When neighbors gave them basic information, apparently the census taker then discussed the fact that they'd looked into tax records for "the residents of our home". The 2020 Census, or decennial census, recently took place. They've also visited six of my neighbors, twice each so far. I have half a mind to call the local news media and tell them this story. What Percent of the US Population do Teachers Comprise? This is out of control. It is widely known that in a five-year span the Bureau lost at least 672 laptops. NO ONE EVER GETS IN TROUBLE for refusing to answer. Respondents like to know their voice is being heard, so it's important to follow up with them. Thank God I'm not the only one questioning the Constitutionality of this blatant invasion of personal privacy. To be sure, the calls were incessant for a time -- anywhere from one to eight calls a day for about six to eight weeks perhaps. i wish i still had my camcorder so i could do like the person said. Of course I would expect them to correct this oversight in the near future. You are a perfect example of why people should be outraged by the ACS. While I also oppose the Census form being sent out, -anon70698, the number of representatives and taxes will be determined by the number of people in the area is what Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution is about. If you still haven't submitted the survey, you may get a call. I answered only the necessary information on the first census, then was mailed the ever intrusive ACS. If you waiver or hide, they will keep trying. Don't fill it out. About 40 phone calls to date, some leave messages while others hang up. We don't have a home phone but I imagine the reps will get hold of our cell numbers? I am appalled by the questions asked on the ACS! I think someone should have a web cam ready when they come to the door. Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). ACS was conducted vigorously and continuously during the presidency of George W. Bush. I'll be laughing when funding for social programs and highway repair funding is cut in your area because you refused to answer simple questions that can not be connected to you. Wow this there are so many ignorant people here! It doesn't do any good to argue with the census taker. Emails from the Census Bureau are sent from the official @census.gov domain. The third section of U.S. Code referenced is " 13 U.S. Code 221 - Refusal or neglect to answer questions; false answers ." Originally, I sent in the census form for the property stating zero occupants, then was called by a Census worker. He claims we need to answer the long form the ACS, etc. Search the Census Bureau Staff Directory to find the contact information for our employees. After reading through the 28 pages of questions the second time (not 28 questions but 28 *pages* of them), I decided to do my research. What is the ACS (American Community Survey)? I included a note with the returned survey stating that I would continue to refuse to answer these additional questions as a matter of principle, and I requested that no phone calls or visits to my home be made by your agency. She stated that they lost it. When someone asks my wages, my mortgage information, and what time and where I work, I see this as "seizing personal information." If you have questions regarding the Census Bureau, data products, or general information call the Census Bureau Customer Service Center at 1-800-923-8282. and even spells it. The Current Population Survey and National Crime Victimization Survey are examples of surveys that include multiple interviews over a period of time. Discussions on this page are currently closed. If every household in the nation received this survey at once, there might be more of any outcry and uproar for our government to cut out the nonsense or face a revolution! Please post legal options for readers when census takers are sharing personal information with neighbors! Your responses to a survey represent your household or business and others like yours and cannot be replaced by simply selecting a different household or business. I would rather pay the $100 fine to keep my freedom in check. The movement brings together Democrats (46.1 percent), Republicans (15.1 Person 18a. She was a little surprised how I knew things about her. I told her to "bring it on". Just answer those ten questions, and get on with your life! So why do they need how many rooms are in the house, what I use to heat the house, what amount was my electric bill and so on and so on? don't let this happen! Thomas Jefferson. The small, everyday, humdrum, quietly approved bills they do each day are where the danger lies and more attention should be paid to those. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, nor a paranoid, but goodness knows the intrusiveness of these questions can certainly drive a person to it. Those of you who are interested just might try at least the internet to find out what this is all about. I am grateful for this siteI just got the survey in the mail and felt very intimidated into having to complete it.or else. It is just such a sick country now. I plead the 5th amendment because the government can ask legally, according to the attorneys office, but I can also remain silent legally. The Census Bureau may follow up with you about your participation in a survey. And then I get this BS from a government agency? I see a lot of people have more courage than me. Anyone out there actually worked for this part of the Census with accurate info? You also will be asked a few additional questions about your age, race, occupation, hours of work, and educational attainment, among other things. All information that we collect from our participants is strictly confidential and used only for statistical purposes. The calls/personal visits stopped. If you don't complete the survey, Census will send a paper questionnaire in about two weeks. Sometimes we do follow-up when we have incomplete responses to a survey, or if we have no response, at all. What was this person's total income during the past 12 months? 04-13-2021 07:27 AM. The American Community Survey is part of the decennial census, and replaces the census "long form" that previously was sent to a percentage of households once every 10 years. It's unbelievable that they have the right to do this, on principle alone, I will not. In what may be a coincidence, they often seem to call shortly after we arrive home and there is a vehicle marked "census" in the neighborhood. We need to take our country back. If you receive a survey or a letter in the mail from the Census Bureau, the envelope contains certain information that may help you verify its legitimacy. This country will see a revolution of the people one day, hopefully sooner than later. The Census Bureau will never ask for your full Social Security number, bank account number, or passwords. I first starting receiving these things by mail like 4 years ago. I have worked as an enumerator. I would feel dirty if I accepted a job with the census. Report. Today, the apparent supervisor came -- in his safety vest and green jeep like a public works person. Since when has the Federal government come to my door or anyone elses and said "We want to help you get your road paved" or any other helpful act, and then asked me for my help by filling out a form to prove the necessity? Browse our collection of stories and more. 8) Stop embezzling trillions of tax payers dollars for fraudulent purposes. i respect my government and i am proud to be an american, but since when is it any of their business if i have a hot water heater or how far i travel to work? And if they threaten you, video record all of this exchange. And everyone should have to fill out the same thing-how come I get the long form every time? Bottom line: we are supposed to give private information to individuals who are part time, temporary employees of Uncle Sam, the ACS seems to be confused about what they have and have not received and the US Postal Service seems not to be working either. So, basically, he screwed the taxpayers because he keeps a log of minutes and gets paid for the time. Now.I look forward to answering that door, cell in hand, and pressing the "video record" button. then maybe somebody will get the hint that we don't want our lives invaded. So today I found this census worker peeping tom at my windows, which face the back woods. They will report any threats or harassment (allegedly), so be careful how you respond to them. Anyone else with other info/advice is politely requested to add their two cents. "; "What is your favorite color on Thursday afternoons between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.? I assume she was a supervisor. anon82113: umm, I worked for the census too. If I receive the same treatment again, I may consider filing a class action lawsuit. You can't actually expect all of the decisions to be made accurately and take into account the needs at the consumer level based on a head county every 10 years. There are friends who ask me if I want to put up with the harassment from the government -wouldn't it be easier to just give in and give the information to them? Throw the thing in the garbage, leave on your answering machine for a few weeks, and slam the door in the face of anyone who comes by. Seemed like they try to collect more info than they need but will give in if you call them on their crime. Just got my second second ACS survey in the last three years. No need to respond to the intrusive survey. It gives a little glimmer of hope for this country. If my birth date is going to help somebody get elected or the state (district) gain an extra seat in the house, then get the expecting mothers' due dates for the year while at it. There is absolutely no possibility they can guarantee this information will not be disseminated to others or exposed to malevolent wrongdoers. Ethical treatment of survey participants. Is there anything I can do about this? What is the legal authority for conducting this survey? What are you all so worried about? I am sickened by all of it. I've been harassed by phone at night and Sundays. Will we ever return to our freedoms? Look up the original data at Pew Research. Government entities legally are not supposed to be able to get access to this information. This is crazy -- why is this still going on and why aren't people doing something about it? My sister and I are fuming over these forms. Keep up the good fight! Filled out the short form minus birth dates. Read the Constitution. None of this would be possible without your participation. Then why am I being asked what my race is? The first two (18 U.S. Code 3571 and 18 U.S. Code 3559) simply deal with classifications of federal offenses and associated fines, but contain no reference to the census or American Community Survey. Section (d) authorizes every 10 years starting 1985. I have contacted all of my federal and state Representatives and it is time they passed a census privacy act. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia allow parents to opt-out on behalf of their children. On Monday, a worker left a letter at my door advising he would return again. Look it up. Lock and Load. I just got a pretty harassing phone call from a census lady, who said I would be fined if I didn't fill this crap out. My son answered the door, the guy announced who he was with. the simple census form I got had another insert in which they claim that "answers are confidential" and "answers you give cannot be obtained by law enforcement or tax collection agencies" and "your answers cannot be used in court" or obtained through a FOIA request. I even gave them the date I mailed it on. why are they taking polls for illegals? She left, but will I be hearing from her again? I have no problem with telling folks how many people, even our ages and nationalities. This page outlines and answers frequently asked questions regarding Census Bureau surveys including what respondents can expect, how to verify or complete a survey, and protections for participant information. When I saw the personal and invasive nature of recent Census, I was irate. The census asks for the number of people who "stayed at your house on April 1, 2010." Then you've got them by the balls. Are you willing to roll the dice that this information will remain protected? You want me to put the popcorn in the freezer?" The Census Bureau will not ask you to provide your personal information via email. this is the letter I sent the census bureau. Just one question, what could the $1 billion could have been spent on other than conducting a poll? Any thoughts? She was really trying to get the information and finally gave up and told me she will write down that I refused. One fact I see missing is that they say you are cheating you state and city out of government funds (our tax dollars). If they aren't paying my bills they don't have a need to know how much they are. An 'Opt-Out' Democracy By Terri Ann Lowenthal In March 2000, with the nation's crown jewel of civic activities in full swing, a certain candidate for president who would later call 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home, famously told a reporter that he wasn't sure he would fill out the census "long form" if he received one. About one month later I received a phone call from a supervisor. God bless you for creating this site! I was going to fill it out and check "race: other, American" but now I just don't even want to fill the dang thing out. Any links included in a Census Bureau email will direct you to an official federal government website ending in .gov. and they are the ones who should be paying extra taxes for that. And my financial business is my business, provided I pay my bills and taxes which I do. But not so with us. First from a phone bot then yesterday a phone call from a real person. Be transparent about what you are asking of them, what you will do with their . 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