Posted on 05/06/2018 1:42:44 PM PDT by fwdude
Need some thoughts on something I found out from my elderly live-alone mother. She informed me today that she has been in regular contact with a “Census Bureau” worker for about the past 7 years. When I asked how often she said about twice a year. This seems highly out of the ordinary for any census work, especially done by an “assigned” info gatherer. Mom said that the questions have to do with crime/assault and are general in nature. She described the census worker as an elderly white woman, but I’m still not buying it. Worker has contacted her by phone AND visits. When I ask about creditials provided, mom assured me that she is official, as if she’d know. My mother is on the gullible side, believing just about anyone who “looks nice” (she actually was hoodwinked into buying a Hari Krishna album from a cult member at the airport in the 70’s. - remember those?)
I’m concerned for the privacy of her personal information. What would you recommend I do to help? If this was an instance of a mailed survey I wouldn’t be so worried. These government agencies just don’t “assign” a specific worker to people like this.
Install an IP camera so you can watch/get pictures if she visits?
contact the local “Census Bureau” directly, in person first and see if this is standard procedure.
-reconcile bank accounts: checking\savings
-check for missing valuables
-ask your mom did she sign anything.
-ask the police if there any reported scams with census workers.
good luck...
Good advice. I was planning on calling the Census Bureau on the next business day. I do need to collect some more information from my mother first.
Make sure she didn’t give her her social security number.
I smell a rat.
and be sure to be there for any upcoming “visits”.
That’s what I intend to find out.
Mom is in her 80’s but is still mentally with it, although a little naive.
Thank God she has you.
I’m pretty upset that this is the first I’ve heard anything about this from her. As executor of her estate, she needs to be more open.
You need to immediately stop her from meeting any more with this person until you know more. This is highly unusual and someone needs to intervene to find out what is going on.
You should still call and ask general questions such as “do census workers contact an individual regularly? Do they come out at all?”
You can proceed with the story from there.
Sounds like a Gypsy or Traveler scam.
I do, too. But if it’s been going on for seven years, it seems like she would be taken to the cleaners by now. Still, it all sounds fishy as presented.
This sounds odd.
It could be legit if they were conducting some sort of ongoing survey comparing data from every six months. But I’m not sure if the Census Bureau does that kind of research.
What are the questions she is being asked?
She could be a part of a survey. These are programs that seem to exist to keep bureaucrats employed between decadal censuses. If you have concerns or questions I’d get the lady’s name and contact the regional office to check her out. I think Texas is handled out of Denver.
I hear you.
Given her age, though, it doesn’t seem unlikely that it might have either slipped her mind because she didn’t think much of it, or she feels a bit foolish not to have mentioned it earlier. Either way, she’s blessed to have you looking out for her.
I don’t think the Census bureau sends people around like that outside of the regular census time. I’d make sure money and jewelry are locked up.
Sounds most peculiar.
She did get a letter stating that a worker would be contacting her about the American Crime and Vicitmization Survey. But a couple times a year? That just doesn’t add up.
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