American Community Survey

US Department of Commerce - Economics and Statistics Admin - Bureau of Census ^ | 10/26/2016 | Fed Gov - Bureau of Census

[Jack Black]

I received a pretty official looking envelope with the return address above marked "American Community Survey" and in even larger bold letters:

YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW

Text of letter:

A message from the Director, US Census Bureau ...

Your household has been randomly selected to complete a very important national survey, the American Community Survey. The US Census Bureau conducts this survey to give our country an up-to-date picture of how we live- our education, employment, housing and more. Using the enclosed instructions please complete the survey online as soon as possible at:

https://respond.census.gov/acs

The Census Bureau is using the internet to collect this information in an effort to conserve natural resources, save taxpayers money, and process your data more efficiently. If you are unable to complete the survey online there is no need to contact us. We will send you a paper questionaire in a few weeks.

The survey collects critical information used to meet the needs of communities across the United States. For example, results from this survey are used to decide where now schools, hospitals and fire stations are needed. This information also helps communities plan for the kinds of emergency situations that might affect you and your neighbors, such as floods and other natural disasters.

The Census Burea chose your address, not you personally, as part of a randomly selected sample. You are required by law to respond to this survey. The Census Bureau is required by US law to keep your answers confidential. The enclosed brochrures answer frequently asked questions about the survey.

If you need hlep completing the survey, please call our toll-free number (1-800-354-7271).

Thank you.

Sincerely,

John H. Thompson
Director, U.S. Census Bureau

[snooter55]

I ignored it.

Received a phone call several weeks later.

“They” were informed that my info was given in the last census and were invited to NOT harass me further.

Again, approx. 2 weeks later, a dude showed up on my front porch telling me his name and position with The Census Bureau.
He was FIRMLY invited to get the FU$K OFF my property and to NOT bother me or my family members again until or unless it was the year of our Lord - 2020.

Two (2) voicemail’s were left after that informing me that his supervisor would be contacting me personally in the very near future.

That was 5 months ago. ....crickets....

I hate it when they are skeered off so easily ! Musta been the wild look in my eye or perhaps it was the tactical Mossberg 500-perhaps both ??

[notaliberal]

I got one in the 90s and ignored it. One day someone knocked on my door. I refused to answer any questions, so the person went to my neighbors house across the street and asked them questions about me.

[Mears]

The neighbor answered the questions?

I wouldn’t.

[Pollster1]

I had fun with it by reading the questions in as obscure a literal manner as possible.

How many bathrooms with running water?
Zero (all faucets were turned off at the time - facilities are none of their business)

Race of Occupant 1:
Human (skin color is none of their business)

Ancestry?
Africa (according to archaeologists - race/ancestry is none of their business)

Computer/smartphone/tablets in the home?
No (took them all out to the car for a moment - my private property is none of their business)

Highest level of schooling
8th grade (I did that in mile-high Denver - my education is none of their business)

Speak a language other than English at home?
Yes. Navajo (I tried a YouTube video on Navajo just so I could list it).

Automobiles kept at home?
Zero (they all leave the home regularly. Again, my private property is none of their business.)

___________________________________________________________

I’m sure you get the idea. It’s loads of fun, and it messes with data the government should not be collecting.

[Radix]

Somehow the dates on those links indicate that Will’s was written later, but in my experience, his article was first.

[Afterguard]

Shred it, then burn the confetti. Mix the ashes with water, then pour the mess on the back lawn. No problem.

[fision]

opening it on the Internet is equal to receiving a registered letter these days of electronic records.

[fwdude]

I agree with fellow FReepers, ignore it. Better yet, shred it and put the remains in the postage paid envelope and send it back.

Seriously, who's the addressee on the envelope? If it is not YOUR name specifically, then the government has no valid claim to prosecute you. Your name is not "resident."

[fwdude]

The feral government dare not try to prosecute anyone for not answering, because then the lie would be exposed that it is required. They’d lose hands down.

They don’t want the truth to get out.

[x1stcav]

I’ve gone through this in the past and have always ignored to first notice. Then comes a second with some vieled threats in it. Finally they start sending one after the other, each increasingly more threatening.

Sooooo, I took a big marker pen and filled out everything incorrectly. The marker ink bled through to where it was illegible.

Never heard from them again.

Doosh Feds!

[Fred Hayek]

One showed up at my door just as I was moving from Minnesota to Texas. She asked what race I was. I answered “Human”. She gives me that look, so I say “Hooo-maaaan”. “No I’m really Ferengi, would you like to know about the Rules of Acquisition?”
That got her to leave. All hail the Blessed Exchequer.

[Dr. Sivana]

I got one of those in the 2000s. I ignored it. Then I received more letters. My phone number had always been well-protected. I don't remember if they sent someone to the house for that or for the regular census (to which I provide a headcount of non-slaves and nothing else).

When I answered the door,

I told the lady with the clipboard "I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-I-have-nothing-to-say-to-you-..."

Where'd she go?

[Ouderkirk]

I got one a few years ago. I tossed it.

When the canvasser came to my door, I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti- hanibal lecter

[workerbee]

Ignore it. When they start calling leaving threatening messages, ignore them. Eventually they’ll stop.

[elteemike]

I got one last time around and just ignored it; threw it in the trash...

Got a reminder in which I was told my response was required by law...

So, being the law-abiding SOB I am, I responded they could all go F themselves...

Heard nothing further...

[B4Ranch]

When they come to the door or phone just say,”I don’t recall”. It was good enough for Hillary so it should be good enough for you too.

[Jacquerie]

I told census takers in 2000 and 2010 to get lost after I told them how many people, and of what age, live in my home. Howls, but no repercussion.

[moovova]

Reply to all of the questions with Hillary’s standard answer...

“I don’t recall.”

[Intolerant in NJ]

Received it couple of months ago - ignore the request to answer on line (I never answer anything on line) and in about a month you will receive the printed survey in the mail - the argument that it helps in planning for facilities like housing, schools and hospitals for your community was pretty persuasive and I filled out most of it with the exception of those questions about the racial makeup of the family - I won’t play that game with them - some of it is on characteristics of the home you live it, much is duplicated for each person in the household like level of education and so forth - sent it back about a month ago - so far no ill-effects - I liked the solemn messages about how this is a confidential questionnaire and anyone in the government who released your personal information or otherwise compromised your confidentiality would be subject to fines or jail terms - I was tempted to include some wise-guy note about how that was a crock of sh*t - we hear the news about the IRS and Justice Department and know that the government has been weaponized under Obama to hurt us anyway it wants - but I didn’t....

[moovova]

You beat me too it!