The Census Bureau was by...

I got home last night, a little later than normal. I had some running to do.. Anyhow, in my back door.. BACK door, there's an envelope from some lady at the census bureau and a note inside that I'm to call her, and it's criminal not to agree to the meeting, or whatever it is, non-participation is criminal. I suppose it's more of a scare tactic than anything.

There's also all this stuff in there about anonymity, and confidentiality, and how they can't be specific about who gave them what information, you know? So it's late, I figure it's after hours.. and I give the number a jingle.

In my message that I left for her, I gave my name, home address and telephone number, my birthday, income level, SS# and my favorite color.. Then I made mention about how I wasn't even sure I was allowed to leave my number, since anonymity was a priority of hers.. I haven't gotten a call back.. I wonder if I'm out of the system..

If she calls back, it will either be to set up a meeting, or to talk on the phone for 25 minutes.. (which is the time frame they suggest it will take.)

If she calls back, I'm going to make it clear that I plan to comply, but that the only way our schedules will mesh well is if she takes me out for a lunch somewhere close to where I work. On her dime.. hehe

Am I missing anything? How can I make this an inconvenience for her, and not just myself? :-D

 

Hi Pax, I worked that job in 2000.... Nobody likes to answer the questions, but don't make it hard on her.. She is only doing her job, and yes, it is very confidential.... She can't go and repeat any information that you give her... Just do it, answer the questions, and don't try to make her day miserable... Hey, there are enough out there that already give her a hard time, believe me....rolleyes

I will say this, the note should have been left at the FRONT door, OK, I'll give ya that, but maybe she had her reasons for that too.... Neighbor's dog maybe? You wouldn't believe what we seen!!! It isn't much more than compiling a demographic of the people in the country, what the average income is, population stats, and all that junk that goes with it.. Altho some of the questions are perceived as personal, they aren't so bad.....
You too, will live thru it! :-D

 

I only hope you're kidding about leaving all this on an answering machine.

 

I suppose the accuracy of the information I left couldn't be verified, while protecting my anonymity. She ought to think that's what she got though.

I'll end up complying, however they need me to. But the notice did say that she was required to keep stopping until she made contact. I suppose I'll have more paper in my door when I get home tonight.

She was at the back door, most likely because that's the side of the house that parking is available on. But to be selected randomly, as I read that I was.. You'd think they'd stay out of the alleys.. You know? hehe

 

What about the questions about if you own a gun, how many, what caliber, etc.??? Are THOSE questions REALLY on the form???
They haven't come around here yet.

 

It appears it's not in form form anymore. More of a sit down, and they just ask you things. I'll be sure to grab a drink when she's by though.... LOL

 

Before I go offline for the weekend, I have to say. I don't really keep my AK-47 in the refrigerator, I was screwing around sending cell phone pics to my cousin the other night, and that was just part of the fun I was having... I keep elsewhere in the house, no bullets in the house.

 

Your SS#. on a voice message?
Are you aware of what some people can do with just your name and SS#?
I would have called a legit Census Bureau and confirmed the persons ID.

 

Ah ha, you might think that, but the rules for those people doing the Census have to keep coming back until they get an answer to the questions....

As Greywood has said,

All the questions are to be done on a one on one basis... Never leave such personal stuff on an answering machine..rolleyes By law, she has to keep coming back, and it would be best if you just called her and let her know when the best time would be for her to stop by.....Saves everyone that way.... I haven't seen any of the forms yet, they haven't gotten this far yet.... Don't worry, Pax, we all have to answer them....

 

I didn't leave any real information on the machine. But she did call again. hehe

 

Speaking as the daughter of a woman who has been researching our family back over 200 years...please just answer the census questions. Often they are the only way future generations have to find anything out about their family history. The reason they stop by is because you've ignored the census form that came in the mail, which should have been filled out. It is actually federal law that a census be taken every ten years.

 

Sgt. Tibbs is correct, Pax... You really should fill out the questionnaire.. Also, like hrlw2 stated, I sure hope you didn't leave your real SS # on that answering machine... Whoa, talk about a headache!! :cry

Normally, a Census taker will only talk to you face to face, since you didn't fill out the questionaire.... I know they have some very strict rules that have to be followed, and I never heard of one wanting you to call and leave that sort of info on her machine...rolleyes She probably just wanted a call-back, to find out when you would be home to interview..... Besides, she has got hundreds of others to do too

 

LOL, gonna exercise my freedom of speech when I get to meet my census person. Of course, in a non threatening, friendly manor.

:-D

 

I can only remember one time being part of the Census, probably in the late 70's early 80's
Wasn't anything personal, it was how many people lived in the house, how many bedrooms, those kind of things.

I had posted this last month, was wondering if anyone took advantage of using it, being it was free for the month of Aug.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=196676

 

Exactly. The form I filled out a couple of months ago wanted to know how many people, ages, occupations, ethnic background, income, whether or not we had health insurance, and what kind of car we drove (there was more, but I don't remember offhand). No sensitive personal information at all, unless you're paranoid about the government knowing your name and address...which I figure they do anyway since I work and pay taxes.

My mom took advantage of that. She's gotten our family back through Canada, to England, and is now working on figuring out how they came from Ireland in 1715. :-D

 

How interesting. My tree seems to be forking in really strange directions. Ireland, England, Portugal, Kentucky, won't even start on my poor kids. :-D

 

She's being selective of which branches she follows. LOL

 

That means they know your social security number as well. At least in my state that has to go on the form too.

...by ship? :innocent

 

LOL @ Mimsy. Touche!

I should've said "who and why" rather than "how". :-D

And yes...for work they've got my SSN, but I didn't have to write it on the census form.

 

I'm assuming it's like jury duty, they can prosecute, especially now since Homeland Security is in place. :major

 

I am still waiting on the Census person to come see me... :-D

 

Havn't heard of any here in Armpit either so far.

 

I haven't seen anyone around here yet, and nothing in the mail.. MAYBE it got lost in the mail.. Wouldn't that be a hoot! roflmao

Yes, there is some form of Fed. law you are breaking by not filling it out... But, have to get one first... Maybe they are working from the S. to the N.... :-D

 

Huh...that's weird, TeeCee. I'm pretty sure ours came in early July. It's been quite a while since I filled it out and mailed it back, though. And our last name starts with "S", so it wouldn't be alphabetical, either.

The census is also how it is determined how many representatives you get in Congress, by the way. If you don't fill it out, you'll get shortchanged. Just a thought.

Another by the way...it is a $100 fine for not filling out the form. US CODE: Title 13221

 

Hi Sgt. Tibbs, I was not kidding, and no one here has gotten any census forms... I have talked to many people yesterday, and no one has seen any...So, it isn't just me...I think they do the U.P. at a different time than the L.P...

Nothing ever came in the mail either... Maybe this is where they are sending all the census workers??? I'll make some calls, and see if I can find out anything.. Seriously, nothing up here YET....:confused

We would fill it out, no problem there.. But, gotta have it first..

They can't fine me for not filling out something I didn't get.

 

Well, the UP is a completely different planet after all.

Good luck!

 

Check out this link: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

I haven't found anywhere that says we are to fill out any forms out now...

Sounds like it will take a while... Like I said before, nothing has showed up here yet, and I don't expect it to for a while....

 

Sgt. Tibbs, not really a

I called the census bureau there in Detroit, and was told that you filled out a

in July, and that the

They pick certain demographic areas for the

...

Also, the U.P. is still on target for the mailing in March 2010, and you will still get the census form in March too... Everyone will... I am assuming that is what Pax had filled out too... I hope this clears it up, as we do have civilization here...:major

They said they will mail out one form, and if you don't fill it out, they will mail out a second, and then if you don't fill that one out, they will send out an enumerator to get the answers..... That is what they told me...

 

roflmao Sorry...I've spent quite a lot of time in the UP. I know you've got a lot going on. It's just so many people here think the UP is further away than, say, Alaska. :-D

Huh. What we filled out most definitely said "census" on it. Nothing about a community survey at all. I'll have to see if my mother made a copy before mailing it in...I know I didn't because I was way too busy at the time.

 

Hi Sgt. Tibbs, We aren't that far away, and still a part of MI, and Detroit is still the office for the census for our area, and from what I was told today, the 2010 Census forms are still at the printers.... Yup, you will get the "Census" form in March.

Check out the link I posted.. It has all the info, and here are some phone numbers in case you want to speak to a real person, like I did....
First, I checked the website, then called Detroit....... Great amount of information there, and also from calling them...

• Atlanta, GA: 1-800-424-6974

• Boston, MA: 1-800-562-5721

• Charlotte, NC: 1-800-331-7360

• Chicago, IL: 1-800-865-6384

• Dallas, TX: 1-800-835-9752

• Denver, CO: 1-800-852-6159

• Detroit, MI: 1-800-432-1495

• Kansas City, KS: 1-800-728-4748

• Los Angeles, CA: 1-800-992-3530

• New York, NY: 1-800-991-2520

• Philadelphia, PA: 1-800-262-4236

• Seattle, WA: 1-800-233-3308