Advice needed: Being harassed by census worker

07/21/2005 | Me

[redbaiter]

Two months ago a field agent from the US Census Bureau left a business card under my door, with a note requesting an interview for a survey the Bureau does on unemployment and income. The note explained the purpose of the survey and outlined the sorts of questions that would be asked (mostly income and work-related stuff). I called him back at the number provided, told him that my income was none of his business and requested that he not contact me any more.

This was not effective, and he continued to try to contact me. So I called him back again and ordered him to cease and desist. This too was ineffective, and he continues to try and contact me even now, two months later. (In the summer I am rarely home before 9PM so he has never succeeded.)

I asked around, and it turns out he has a pattern of similar behavior.

What can I do to make this guy cease and desist?

[mdittmar]

Had one bugging me also,told her after the third time she showed up telling me it's requiredd by law I answer,I said "no it's not,only a head count is required,but I'll answer to get you the hell away from me."

I then proceeded to lie on every answer,she knew it too. Her face went from pale to crimson.

When she left,I said,"Have a nice day.";)

[Strategerist]

Yeah, if you don't want to cooperate, it's not helpful to contact them specifically to tell them you don't want to cooperate.

Best move is simply to ignore the notes if you don't want to cooperate.

And the census worker isn't taking "revenge"...I didn't know that notes left in a door were "revenge"...he's just doing his job. It's a bit odd the case hasn't been reassigned to a new field rep...who would then continue to leave notes on the door, though.

[RandallFlagg]

LOL!!!

[Tijeras_Slim]

When the last census came around with a bunch of questions about home ownership and crap like that I told the census worker that I would only answer them if it meant that there would be a new property qualification for voting. They left me alone.

[Dont Mention the War]

Ouderkirk is correct. While I have some sympathy for the arguments posted above regarding the theoretical constitutionality of the Census Bureau's tactics and mission creep, the reality is that they have the legal right to keep bothering you from now until the end of time if you don't cough up the info they seek.

I do agree with those above who said you should make 100% sure this guy is truly with the Census Bureau before answering his questions. And as has already been noted, how are they going to know if you lie in your responses? If they already had the information, they wouldn't have to be asking you for it in the first place. Just BS the guy and get him off your back. It's not a battle worth fighting.

[Strategerist]

The overwhelming majority of government actions and activities aren't specifically mentioned in the Constitution or banned by the Constitution; they're authorized by votes of Congress, including the many and varied Census activities other than the 10-year counts, thus all are legal.

[texan75010]

You can refuse to answer questions. Just leave a note on your door for them telling them to leave you alone.

[MEGoody]

Next time he contacts you, ask for the name and number of the director of his department. Tell him if he doesn't give it to you, you will go to the press and detail the harrassment you've been experiencing.

[Strategerist]

The press isn't exactly going to fall all over itself to break the stunning "Census worker leaves NOTES ON MY DOOR!" harassment story.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Just stop talking to him on the phone...if he calls don't answer the phone....IGNORE HIM...COMPLETELY

My thoughts exactly.

[steve-b]

They just won't leave us alone

How many people live in your household? Off the top of my head, I couldn't say with certainty.
How much do you earn? I'm not really sure.
How much do you pay for your mortgage, electricity, insurance, property taxes and gas or oil or other fuel? Sorry, I can't recall at this point in time.
How much is your house worth? I don't really know.
Do you have a flush toilet? I'm sorry. I don't have that information available.
How many vehicles do you own? My memory is vague on that.

LOL -- sounds like Bill Clinton giving testimony.

[anniegetyourgun]

Eliminate landline phone, go cellular only....move, leave no forwarding address.

[WhatsItAllAbout]

Whoa, hold on Redbaiter, the guy is only trying to do his job. The lest you could do is talk to the guy.

My wife works for the Census and believe me it is not an easy thing to over come the hostility and suspicion against the government. They drill it into the field reps. about how confidential the information is and they will extract a harsh penalty from anyone who breaks that confidentiality.

If you knew how important the information you are asked for is you might not be so dead set against giving it. Most of the numbers you hear quoted on income, housing, health, and employment come from your answers. That information is vital for government planners, and without it your community may not get all the support it needs from the government.

They can't force you to participate in the survey, but give the guy a break, listen to what he has to say and don't kill the messenger. If you do not want to provide this service to your community for whatever reason you may have, just give a civil no and let that be that. However the Census does have a protocol to follow and you may hear from this guy's bosses who will try and find out why you choose not to participate.

[Mike Bates]

LOL -- sounds like Bill Clinton giving testimony.

Or any of his Kool Aid drinkers, including Mz Rodham Clinton.

[Dan from Michigan]

Once you figure out how to get him to leave you alone, let me know so I can tell these F'ing Satellite Dish people to quit robo-calling me every f'ing day.

[Mad Mammoth]

IGNORE HIM! Don't call him. Don't insult him. Just IGNORE him. They have no power to do anything, and you have just pissed him off, so he is taking revenge in the way bureaucrats do.

EXACTLY!!!

First of all, IGNORE HIS INTRUSIVE FEDERAL-ASS!

But since you've tweaked his tail, now you have to get creative:

Get somebody (or do it yourself if you can alter your voice a bit) to call the alleged "census" person up, adopt a hispanic accent and say "Si? Dees ees Jose Jimenez, you left yor CARD at an abandoned house in my neighborhood? Nobody live there no more, but can you interview me? Can you help me get more in my social security check? Also, I have been on waiting list for new housing too long, can you move me up the line please? How soon can you come over? Can you bring me some extra blocks of cheese? Got any crackers? Hey, eet is yor JOB amigo, to help me! I got no income, so you gotta help me, si'?"

I can almost guarantee you'll never hear another word outta that creep.

[TNdandelion]

It's a pain, but I appreciate the work the Census takers have done throughout the generations. Helps me with my family genealogy.

Of course, if the census taker got the information wrong...that can lead to speculation. I suspect that's how my dh's family name got changed. Census taker didn't know how to spell and the family was illiterate...LOL

[Rebelbase]

Everytime he calls hang up on him. If he shows up at your door, slam it in his face. If he refuses to leave, turn on the yard sprinklers.

[OB1kNOb]

Everytime he asks you a question on the doorstep give him an answer and then start contradicting and arguing with yourself. Say things like, "Quit telling me what to do!", "No, I won't do what you say!", "I told you I wouldn't do that again!", and "No! I will not invite him into the house, like the others!"...Then ask him real nicely, "Won't you come in please?".

[liberty2004]

Tell him your an illegal alien and he is violating the constitutional rights illegals aren't supposed to have. That will get rid of him for good.

That is funny and quite witty.