Comments on: American Community Survey Makes Me Uncomfortable

By: graphxfairy

graphxfairy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:38:11 +0000

Had a visit today. I have a very clear “Posted No Trespassing” sign. I did not answer the door because I could see the woman though my open front window. I asked to please respect my sign and was told that she is from the federal government and not trespassing. When she had said that is was about the ACS I knew enough that I wasn’t going to answer any questions. She then said that I could do it anonymously. Huh? Then went on to say that it was mandatory. Again, huh? If I could do this anonymously, then how could they ascertain that my “mandate” was complied with? I told her to send another one in the mail, to which she replied “we’re passed that point already”. I then asked her to clarify that. Would she be sending someone to arrest me? I did not let her answer, and as she was pulling her card out to leave for me I told her to keep it that we don’t need unnecessary government spending. I politely asked her to remover herself from my property and walked away from the window. She stood by her car for few seconds then left.

We’ll see if a clear refusal will work, but I have a feeling that someone will return.

By: Anonymous from NC

Anonymous from NC — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:47:46 +0000

I’m pissed…..this is the second time in three years that I’ve received the ACS. How is it that I could be chosen twice for a survey that supposedly is only sent to 2% of households? The first time I blew it off completely: the followup up notes, the phone calls, and the creepy guy showing up at my doorstep. Fortunately, we both work so the later was easy to avoid, though he showed up one weekend that we were out. Personally, I really don’t feel like telling that much information about myself. I did find this link from the GAO that seems to imply that their is the legal authority, though I’ve never heard of anyone being prosecuted: http://www.gao.gov/decisions/other/289852.htm

uggg

By: Anonymous from CA

Anonymous from CA — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:58:23 +0000

I too am now experiencing this headache. I echo all of the privacy and Constitutional concerns of prior posters, as well as the technology-related security concerns (I am in IT). My wife filled out most of the survey but I refused to complete it and send it in. We have now received two forms and a packet left at the door by a local rep. Even worse, I realized from the business card that we know the field rep from our old neighborhood and I don’t want to get into this with her, and I certainly don’t want her to know how much we make, what time we leave for work, etc, so I don’t want an interview in person or on the phone.

This is such an incredible violation that it just makes me sick, and I certainly don’t trust the governments motives with recent wiretapping, Patriot Act, Homeland Security foibles, etc.

I decided to call the 800 number on the form, and today I spoke with a supervisor in Seattle. She recommended that I complete as much information as I am willing to provide on the survey, and that “it is [my] right” not to enter my name on the form. She advised me not to try calling in a refusal, because the computer system the case handlers use will just keep generating followup requests based on the softwares unfulfilled “need” to answer every question.

I recorded the conversation with the consent of the supervisor, and have posted it to Youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DFGhW5pOP0

So, I’ve decided to fill out the survey anonymously with the basic, required census info and send it in.

CAguy

By: Billy

Billy — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:55:42 +0000

Yes she’ll keep coming back until it’s completed

By: Casey

Casey — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:52:26 +0000

My husband and I just moved into our residence about a month ago. I just had a CB lady show up at my door. I’ve never received a letter or a phone call. I’m supposed to call her this week and take the survey via phone. I’m not going to, but do you think she will keep coming back to my house? I’m surprised that my 80 pound pit bull barking her head off at the lady didn’t scare her away. Bummer.

By: Billy

Billy — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:28:12 +0000

Just to let everyone know. It takes 2 refusal’s for them to stop calling you, but if you just imm hangup they’ll keep calling as it takes 6 imm hangups for them to stop calling. The reasoning being that 3 imm hang up’s equal a refusal. The reason for that is it could be just a child or something of that nature hanging up.

By: JackDaddy

JackDaddy — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:20:25 +0000

There’s no way to prove that anyone actually receives the survey. It arrives through plain ol’ USPS, no receipt, no delivery signature, nothing.

Therefore… there’s no way to indict, fine, convict, or imprison anyone for failing to respond.

By: CosmicWally

CosmicWally — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:42:39 +0000

FYI -

U.S. Constitution - Amendment 4
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

By: cathy

cathy — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:49:02 +0000

The CB has to deviate from the 90 day plan when a residence has no land line or when mail is not delivered directly to the residence because of a roural route, PO box, etc. The field rep will need to validate that the residence exists and is occupied. Sometimes the CB has gotten cell phone numbers usually because someone, like a neighbor or landlord, who knows the ACS recipient gave out the info to the field rep.

By: cathy

cathy — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:46:54 +0000

It may be just a fluke that you are being harrassed. Usually, the CB will call for about 30 days starting at the beginning of the month and increasing the number of calls per week as the month progresses. The calls should end by the end of the month. If they are after you, you hav a i/3 chance of being contacted by a field rep during the next 30 days. There are private companies paid to find telephone numbers. Sometimes these companies can find cell phone #s. How do you get your mail?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:13:42 +0000

These “census” people are major jerks! I never even received one of these Anti-American Interrogation Questionaires in the mail but yet I still have these fascist Nazis calling me every hour of the day. It’s been this way for about the past month and a half. I don’t pick up to numbers I don’t recognize, and these people are no exception. On occasion I’ll pick up and then hang up right after before they even have a chance to speak, but otherwise I just let it go straight to voicemail. And I would also like to add that they keep calling my cell phone. Will someone please tell me how they got my personal cell phone that I don’t have linked to any of my past or present addresses? I mean, seriously, this is ridiculous! I actually wonder if they have the wrong number because, like I said, I never even received one of these surveys. I have done an extensive amount of research about this questionaire, though, and am trying to get local media attention through the ACLU about this criminal activity the census is trying to pull off. But one thing’s for sure, I will never submit to the possibility of identity theft, which means refusing to participate with this survey, even if it is mandatory…not now, not ever! This government cannot be trusted. That’s all I’ve got to say. Hope this wasn’t too incoherent for you all. I am extremely tired, but just thought I needed to get my thoughts heard.

By: Lazarus

Lazarus — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:08:25 +0000

My 3rd month is over. Net results are as follows:

I put the protest letter in the first envelope as described above. I did not respond to the second mailings.
I did not ignore the phone when the caller ID said Census Bureau. I answered on one Saturday and was polite to the young man and had a discussion about the invasion of privacy and refused to participate. Following Saturday a call from a much sterner woman and I was not so polite and I started to complain about the threat of a fine and she REALLY backed off fast and said that she never brought it up, which she hadn’t, I did. She said she would mark me as “refused”.

That was the last I ever heard from anybody with the ACS. I had my camera phone updated, had it on all the time. Read these web pages every day. I was ready, going to video the field encounter. But it never came. Nobody to dance with.

A clear refusal is the way to deal with these people. They know they have no power other than intimidation. They won’t even try that if you are clear, and firm, up front. At least that was my experience. Your results may vary.

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:30:09 +0000

We got one of these at our vacation home, where nobody lives most of the year. So I answered 0 with a comment about it being recreational property and sent it back. I received the follow up phone call at my primary residence to verify that nobody lives there and then pumping me for info on how many rooms, etc. I said I didn’t feel comfortable answering that and that all I was required by law to answer was how many people lived there. Much arguing ensued and I hung up after saying I’d have to talk to my lawyer first. Now I’ve received the second phone call on my machine requesting that I call them back and here is the case number.. Ugh. Much hate….

By: teresa

teresa — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:05:58 +0000

So I found the card in the door today…saying I can reach her until “11pm”. This is the first visit…She came on a Tuesday…somewhere between 1:30-4:00. How many visits can I expect?

I’m expecting packages in the mail too…Man, I don’t want her to find out what my name is, or answer the door thinking she’s the delivery man. I live in an apartment complex, and I can’t see who is at the door, because there’s no peep hole. Maybe there won’t be any visits since gas is $4.00 a gallon out here…

By: bob

bob — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:57:33 +0000

Well — We got all the letters and mailings and the phone calls have started. Like most I consider this an invasion of my privacy at best. My wife and I are not in full agreement over this but we will not be responding. We are both legally blind and unwelcom visitors at our doors are perceived as potential and unresolvable threats as we could not verify an ID etc…

bob