I'm being hassled by the Census...persons (?).

PSM · 05-26-2010, 19:20

FYI only.

I received the short census form, filled it out and returned it. Last night I was BBQing ribs. They called. I told the young woman that I was busy and had filled out and returned the form and was not interested in given her anymore information than required by the Constitution, said good night, and hung up.

Now they are leaving messages on my answer machine.

Just a heads-up.

Pat

Richard · 05-26-2010, 20:09

I had the same issue. If it's the census ffolkes, they'll leave a toll-free number which will call into the Census Bureau and a case referral number to ID their file - call them at your convenience. The additional info they wanted from me was in reference to my sons - one a college student and one a long-haul truck driver - they apparently had no standard block to check for either and the residence issue associated with my residence being their home of record vs where they actually are seemed to confuse them - especially my son the truck driver who is on the road from NY to CA and all points in-between for 6 weeks and then home for a week - the census people had a difficult time understanding that he lived in his truck (atchd pic) and not some permanent apartment or something. The call took 10 minutes and we all signed off happy.

And so it goes...

Richard's $.02

lksteve · 05-26-2010, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSM

I was busy and had filled out and returned the form and was not interested in given her anymore information than required by the Constitution, said good night, and hung up.

Exactly what information is required by the Constitution? Have you bothered to actually look at what Article 1, Section 2 says? Have you bothered to look up the law pertaining to the Census (Title 13 US Code) or researched the enabling legislation? If you sent in the form, and I believe you did, you have a beef...but as a Census employee, I am a bit frustrated with all the Constitutional scholars who have neither read the sparse requirement in the Constitution, haven't looked into the specifics in Title 13 and have not researched the enabling legislation. If you think you are being harassed, there is an 800 number where you can call the local census office and complain and these complaints are taken seriously.

lksteve · 05-26-2010, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brush Okie

May or may not be a census worker. Why are they calling on the phone when they are supposed to show up?

Telephonic verification is cheaper for the tax payers than sending an enumerator to the door. After the initial mail in phase, there were attempts to follow up telephonically, but some of these went unheeded. It is not the preferred method of follow up, but it is better than nothing.

PSM · 05-26-2010, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksteve

Exactly what information is required by the Constitution? Have you bothered to actually look at what Article 1, Section 2 says? Have you bothered to look up the law pertaining to the Census (Title 13 US Code) or researched the enabling legislation? If you sent in the form, and I believe you did, you have a beef...but as a Census employee, I am a bit frustrated with all the Constitutional scholars who have neither read the sparse requirement in the Constitution, haven't looked into the specifics in Title 13 and have not researched the enabling legislation. If you think you are being harassed, there is an 800 number where you can call the local census office and complain and these complaints are taken seriously.

I have and I do understand. And, if I recall correctly, you have worked on the Census. I understand your perspective and appreciate that. (I'm an airline dispatcher. I often have to explain why flights are late or canceled.

)

My problem is twofold, I did what they requested and they only call me, like telemarketers, when I'm cooking or eating. Now they expect me to call them back.

If they contact me at a more appropriate time and ask questions I'm unwilling to answer I will not answer. If appropriate, I will answer.

I was just pointing out that filling out the form does not insure that you will not get a call or visit from them. But, I'm very suspicious of this specific organization of "them".

Pat

lksteve · 05-26-2010, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSM

If they contact me at a more appropriate time and ask questions I'm unwilling to answer I will not answer. If appropriate, I will answer.

Take the time to call them at the toll free number...they should either take your information or relay your request to the enumerator who is charged with follow up.

Quote:

I was just pointing out that filling out the form does not insure that you will not get a call or visit from them. But, I'm very suspicious of this specific organization of "them".

Some forms were lost, I'm sure...we've had some that were in a mailbox over a weekend during a snow storm and they were not legible when received...We've had folks who were out of the country, in Arizona or elsewhere and did not mail the forms in on time...we've had some forms where it appears the respondent was unsure of how to answer...the Bureau (I'm a temp and don't give a rat's ass about objectives, per se) is trying to get it right...seats in the House may change due to Census data...that's important stuff...

PSM · 05-26-2010, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksteve

Take the time to call them at the toll free number...they should either take your information or relay your request to the enumerator who is charged with follow up.

Some forms were lost, I'm sure...we've had some that were in a mailbox over a weekend during a snow storm and they were not legible when received...We've had folks who were out of the country, in Arizona or elsewhere and did not mail the forms in on time...we've had some forms where it appears the respondent was unsure of how to answer...the Bureau (I'm a temp and don't give a rat's ass about objectives, per se) is trying to get it right...seats in the House may change due to Census data...that's important stuff...

Copy, thanks. Is there any aspect of life that is not covered on PS.com!

The Census and Hummingbirds..geeze!

Pat

rdret1 · 05-26-2010, 21:36

I sent my form in and came home one day to find a door hangar from a worker who came by. I called the 800 number and told them I had sent in the paperwork and haven't been contacted since.

Dozer523 · 05-26-2010, 22:25

I got the call tonight. She was very nice, siad it was just verifying the data and had to be done. Promised it would only take about 10 minutes. I said I bet we can do it quicker then that. the answer to every question she asked was (is) "no".
At the end I told her "your job sucks, how did you get stuck with this?"
she answered, "It's a long story . . . like most, I guess."

I liked her right away. (Like when both started to laugh when she asked me if "on April 1, 2010 were you in prison?")

lksteve · 05-26-2010, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer523

I liked her right away. (Like when both started to laugh when she asked me if "on April 1, 2010 were you in prison?")

You told her about the ankle bracelet????

JimP · 05-27-2010, 07:26

Same here. Got the rugrats wrassled into bed, everything put away and settled down for a few minutes rest and the phone rings. heard the wife going around and around with this person. You'd be better off trying to castrate a mountain lion in a phone booth rather than mess with the wife at the end of the day. She is very carefully explaining that we have no idea who this person is that is calling and we have no intention of giving out any details as to our whereabouts; numbers and location to a stranger on the phone.

We filled the form out. That is what is REQUIRED. They have the information for their 10-year numeration for congressional districting. I have no idea WHO is calling and the burden is NOT on me to call around and establish the bona fides of some "800" number as to the validity of the person on the other end.

- just had to edit out some potty-language not appropriate to the forum - I am growing more distrustful of "government" by the day.

Dozer523 · 05-27-2010, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksteve

You told her about the ankle bracelet????

Of course not. She didn't ask about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimP

Same here. . . . She is very carefully explaining that we have no idea who this person is that is calling and we have no intention of giving out any details as to our whereabouts; numbers and location to a stranger on the phone. . . .

I initially felt the same way. But since the answer was always "no" and I offered nothing I wasn't to worried.
I was explaining this to the Little Dude and he thought it was "terrible, just terrible" that the government is just now learning about his 8YO existence and that they never knew we moved from Washington to SoCal and to St Louis.
"They knew buddy, oh they knew."
"Good."
"maybe. . . "

Utah Bob · 05-27-2010, 15:09

We're out a ways from town. They came by and delivered mine.
Tossed it out of a black helicopter.

Axe · 05-27-2010, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimP

You'd be better off trying to castrate a mountain lion in a phone booth...

LOL, I actually copied and pasted that to myself by email so I'll remember it. Do you mind if I use that line?

JimP · 05-28-2010, 08:11

Help yourself... "I've got a million of them"