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?

[KarlInOhio]

Actually, it's a crime to refuse to respond to the Census Bureau, although I don't think there has ever been a prosecution.

I think the maxiumum fine for not answering is $100. On the extremely unlikely event that they prosecute and convict you, you won't go bankrupt paying the fine.

[bootless]

Answer all his questions with "I am Elmer J. Fudd, I own a mansion and a yacht"

ROFL! If you throw the "millionaire" in there, he's got his answer. (Brilliant!)

[Black Tooth]

The information you give is not stored with your name nor shared with the IRS.

Yes, the profile they gather on you, is perfectly safe. Just like our credit profiles and credit card numbers and accounts.

[rawhide]

"Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the Secretary or authorized officer, to answer.... shall be fined not more than $100."

I'll pay the fine if they come after me. I have refused to respond to the last 2 census surveys and I will continue to do so!!!

[SunnySide]

"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?"

"behavorial pattern"? Who is he, Hannibal Lecter?
File a stalking restraining order against him.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Your 2000 post cracks me up -- as does your tag line. I know a whole Irish family that could use that line!

[justshutupandtakeit]

There are no such "limitations" and detailed census information has been compiled for centuries.

[SunnySide]

NO SOLICITORS!!

TRESSPASSERS WILL BE SHOT

SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT AGAIN


LOL! I've been seriously considering posting a sign on my front door like this, "No Drama Queens allowed"

[Strategerist]

Start speaking jibberish to him, a foreign language he's never heard. Then, typically start getting upset and angry, (wave your arms around too) when he doesn't understand. He'll just go to the next house, hoping they understand English.

Nope, he'll break out a booklet that has basically every form of writing for every language on earth in it, and try to get you to identify which one you're speaking.

Then he'll either hire a translator for that language or find someone in the Census that speaks that language and keep coming back and do the interview in translation.

[stainlessbanner]

Next time he comes over, invite him in and then ask, "Say, have you ever read The Watchtower?

Hendrix, right?

[Strategerist]

NOBODY is ever actually fined or prosecuted for non-cooperation, with the possible exception of gated communities or apartment houses that don't let Census workers in at all, (landlords) and even that is rare.

[Mike Bates]

Which is why Oliver Cromwell is still so widely despised.

[redbaiter]

Ditto that. I saw the questions they were asking in 2000 and tore it up. One less constitutent for Joe Biden and that RINO Mike Castle...

Many thanks to all, esp the link to the US Code. Mental note: give Jimrob some dough...

[houeto]

LOL -- sounds like Bill Clinton giving testimony.

Yes, and under oath to boot!

[TexasTransplant]

Hand them a bucket of paint and ask, "Would you like to paint the edges or do you want the roller?" or hand them a Pipe Wrench and "You crawl under the sink, I'll work up top"

I concentrate a lot better when I'm getting something accomplished.

[fireforeffect]

Agreed.

1. If you find a flyer or business card on your door step leave it there or take it inside and shred it. NEVER call the number on the flyer or card. Handles letters the same, do not open them (except for the 10 year constitutional census) and shred them.

2. Get caller ID. Never answer a caller whose name you do not recognize. If they leave a message, turn off the answering machine for a month. If that does not work change your number and get the new one unlisted.

3. Make them show an official ID and call the supervisor first to, never answer question by someone who's identity you have not confirmed. Thieves love to pose as census workers to gain access to a house, even if they don not it will sound good to the judge.

4. Remember Martha Stewart. Answer the questions and only the question asked.

5. Do not lie. If you do not KNOW say I do not know. And I mean really know, intimate personal knowledge know, if you have to think at all, you do not know.

5. Be polite. It cost you nothing and irritates the hell out of them.

6. Maximize the use of THEIR time. These people are paid by the interview, the more time they spend with you the lower their production rate.

[Diplomat]

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.

IF the Constitution does not mention the activity directly, then it is a POWER RESERVED ONLY to the states and the people themselves per the Constitution, not the feds. This continuing power grab by the federal government needs to end.

To be honest with you, its absurd to believe this data will not be misused by the federal government. Your admission that the FBI has tried a couple times in court and failed really means that they will find a judge who agrees they should have the information and they will ultimately get it. Then what, we ask nicely that they don't use it against us?

The Constitution grants them the ability to enumerate people and determine whether the people are citizens, slaves or native Americans (not taxed) and that is it. Period.

The census data was used to round up Japanese Americans and intern them during WWII. Thus the government has already PROVEN they cannot be trusted with even mere racial data. Knowing when I leave and return from work is beyond the pale.

How can I trust an agency that asks these types of questions? I mean you or your spouse no offense and in my personal experience, all the census takers I have talked to have been very polite and respectful. Many of us just do not like divulging personal information to anyone, much less some gigantic federal agency that is probably heavy on rat employees and who one day may be run by hitlery or another FDR type. Thanks but not thanks.

I'm sticking with my response of "If you want any more information than the number of people living here, take me to court and see if you can actually make the law stand up against me." They never take me to court, but I keep hoping for the fun.

[Recovering Hermit]

Answer all his questions with "I am Elmer J. Fudd, I own a mansion and a yacht."

Too funny!!!

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

I have the same problem. Actually I don't consider it a problem. Anyway I got some booklet in the mail to fill out that asks about my race, my home value, my income, and a bunch of nonsense. The purpose of the census is not to determine representation. It's to be used by our socialist Federal goverment to allocate the money the steal. I just threw it in the trash. A month goes by and a census worker shows up and I tell her "I refuse to answer any questions." She tells me I must answer by law. I laugh in her face and close the door. She freaks. ANyway she's been back twice since leaving cards with threats of legal action written on the back of them. I'm waiting for the legal action.

BTW I did the same thing during the real census when they sent me the long form. I filled out the counts but refused to answer the rest of the questions. About a year after that I got a form letter from some federal attorney saying the goverment had declined to prosecute anyone for not answering.

I don't know what will happen. Maybe Gitmo. ;-)

[MamaTexan]

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

Send a Cease and Desist letter to him that says some thing like:

_____________________________________________________

Dear Sir,

You have repeatedly ignored my repeated verbal requests (you can put dates of phone conversations here)to cease and desist any and all contact with me concerning the Census Bureau's current interview and survey.

I will answer no questions other than those I am Constitutionally required to answer, and the current interview and survey questions are not legitimate.

I now have no choice but to send you this letter to cease and desist said contact.

This letter serves as legal notice.

As of the date of the receipt of this letter, representatives, employees and any/or all affiliates of the Census Bureau of the United States (whatever the official title is) are to Cease and Desist any and all contact with me, (your name), concerning anything other than legitimate Bureau business.

Any illegitimate contact after the date of the receipt of this letter will be considered harassment.

Cordially yours,

_____________________________________________

This is the most important part!

Keep a copy for your files.

Send this letter certified mail, return receipt requested ONLY.

If you do, it is NOT *legal notice*! Attach your receipt for sending the letter, and when the green card returns in the mail, attach it is well.

If they contact you again, you have legal grounds for a harassment charge, as well as trespass if he's on your private property.

You can find out who his boss and send it to him, send it to the guy harassing you, or send it to the head of the local office he works out of.