i have 3 different census workers at my door asking about a neighbor. (i live in an apartment) i have told each and every one of them that i DO NOT know the people. one of the workers wrote that down but yet they still keep knocking on my door trying to get info for someone i don’t even know.

Kim on June 7, 2010 at 4:36 pm

How funny…I filled out my Census form and sent it back over a month ago…now they keep calling my husband, who is on a military deployment…only they won’t let him answer any of the questions regarding his own home, or family…they insist on telling him that the only person who can answer these questions is me….but they don’t call me…they keep calling him…over and over and over again.

Just had a friend of mine from high school tell me that the Census worker casing her neighborhood is on the Sexual Predator list…now that’s scary.

Asil on June 7, 2010 at 8:42 pm

I have had them endlessly harass me on the phone after I filled the form out 2xs and talked to someone they sent to my door…. anyway, i thought i would turn it into something funny. Please read…
http://itsgrindingmygears.blogspot.com/2010/06/dear-mr-census-worker.html

holly on June 17, 2010 at 10:01 pm

Same issue as Kim…I just moved to my place about a month ago. FINALLY met that neighbor about 3 days ago, and she said, “Well, I’m not calling…sorry they keep bothering you but I don’t feel like it.” What a bitch.

Needless to say, I put a sign on my door saying that if they knock, I will call the police.

Cassie on June 25, 2010 at 3:54 pm

I sent my form in during the week that I got it, but apparently, this entitles these Census workers to bother me ANYWAY, about neighbors who I don’t know and care even less about. This fruit loop rings our doorbell at 8 in the morning, and then again ON THE SAME DAY at 11 AM. I finally answer the door, find out who it is, and tell him that if he wants my neighbor, he should go bother my neighbor. I make it clear that I don’t want this to happen again. Guess who just rang our bell this morning…BEFORE going to the neighbor’s house? Then he went to the neighbor’s house, and the guy threatened to find his baseball bat. What is with these people?

Nick on July 31, 2010 at 3:26 pm

You are an idiot. Stop using so much lipliner and peroxide and you might be able to read your own writing, where you quoted the Constitution above. Read where you quoted, “in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” That’s right there in your Constitution, and, the Congress decides, as allowed by that phrase, what will be asked each ten years. And, while there are some census workers who obviously went overboard with threats of physical violence, which were unauthorized by the census and fireable offenses, there were many respondents–people like you–who went overboard breaking the law by refusing to comply with the census questions which were DECIDED BY CONGRESS and therefore part of your legal responsibility under the Constitution. Congress has people from both parties, and, there was no big public fight over what questions to ask, because a bi-partisan governmental body, your Congress, agreed on those questions! Including many Republicans!

That leaves the IMPACT of you and yours, aka “census refusers,” on your communities and taxpayers. Every time we had to come to your door, it cost taxpayers $46. Guess you should’ve answered the first time, huh. And for every person who was not properly enumerated, your community lost $1,300/year for ten years. So a family of four refusers cost their community $52,000 for roads, hospitals, schools, busses, police, etc. for the next decade. Good job, idiot.

Lastly, you whiners who claim you sent your form in. Maybe you did! But, this is the government we’re talking about. What part of, “it got lost” surprises you? The ONLY way to rectify that NOW is to cooperate with the door-to-door census taker. And by the way, guess what the number #1 tactic of people who secretly REFUSE to participate in the Census is? Tell the worker at the door you mailed it in, and slam said door.

By the way, being a history “teacher,” you should have known what that last phrase of the law meant. I guess it’s true what they say–those who can, do. Those who can’t, well, they teach. Congratulations.

Census worker with a brain on August 3, 2010 at 9:38 am

Well said, history teacher. “Enumeration” is all that is Constitutionally authorized. We sent our form in four months ago, and have a proof of mailing receipt, answered the 10 questions in accordance with the law….and guess what… late July and we have three different census trolls visiting as late as 8 pm, going right through gates, no tresspassing signs, no census bag or badge, won’t leave a card. Well, I’d love some advice from anyone who cares to share it. According to 18 section 241 of the U.S.C., they are totally violating the law and could be fined and go to jail. Also census website claims July 10 was the final day for the stalkers, oops workers to cease, and allow us the other Constitutional right, the right to be left alone, on our own lands.

Tia on August 5, 2010 at 5:01 pm

I just chewed a census worker out today and told him that if he comes back that I will call the police. I called his supervisor and his supervisor’s supervisor. I told them they are harassing me. I filled out the census form with the number of people in my household and sent it in. They then had a worker come to my door and my wife filled in the rest of the information with her against my wishes. They then send this 3rd guy out again and my wife refused to answer his questions. He then told her that he would have to come back 8 more times. Next time they come back, I’m going to record it and put it on Youtube. Gonna title it, “Census Worker Harrasing Me.”

Steve on August 13, 2010 at 12:10 pm

I filled out the mail-in form accurately and mailed it in. Then a census worker came by a few weeks later and we sat down and filled out the form. No problem.

Then a census worker came to my door a month later and started asking me about me, my neighbors, who owned the property, etc. I told her I’m the only person at this unit, to go away, and that I had already done my part.

I thought I was finished with these idiots, but guess what? A census worker came back a few weeks later and started asking me about my landlord, the other units on the property, how many people, blah blah blah. Again, I told her I lived here and that was it. I actually had to point out my unit number which is right on the door. Again, “This is my unit number, I am the only person living here”. DUH!

I didn’t get upset with these creeps until today when there were TWO of them at the door. I was on the phone and asked them if they could come back later. They didn’t say “Sorry, excuse us, we’ll come back in 30 minutes”. Instead, the woman started interrupting me, asking the same things about the other units on the property, who was living there, etc. Very, very rude.

I think the Census Bureau is yet another example of our inefficient bureaucracy. Anyone with a computer and access to Google Maps can take a look at the satellite images and property lines to figure out what’s going on. I seem to be able to find out just about anything about anyone before I go to their door, so why are these census workers stumbling around like a bunch of idiots, and why are they so rude?

Seems like a real waste to me. Maybe they need better training.

Project None on August 13, 2010 at 8:01 pm

For four days now, I have had census takers ringing my doorbell loudly, banging hard on my door, and leaving demanding notes. Today was the worst, as I had on my air conditioner, which tipped them that someone was home. I’ve also had a lot of calls where they hang up before the message machine kicks in. Months ago, I sent in my household enumeration. But that doesn’t satisfy an abuse government that wants to know everything about us. That smacks of totalitarianism.

Every year more and more people are renouncing their U.S. citizenship, and moving to other countries. It sure sounds tempting.

Carol on August 15, 2010 at 4:56 pm

I know that when person is informed, or seeks out, the correct history of a subject they are much less likely to expouse information they have acquired through a system of beliefs or opinions.
The census is a function created by our constitution for many different reasons. It may have the effect of transfering funds away from corporations and special interests to benefit the public living at the lower end of the ability to influence policy in ones favor. Or it may not.
This is why “knowing”, weather or not to participate in the census should be investigated thouroughly before making a decision.

One dumb thing on August 17, 2010 at 12:13 pm

I was also on the so called Pilot program. Now they keep sending me a so called “Quality Assurance Survey” which asks
very personal and intrusive questions about each member of my family. They first one said it was voluntary and I didn’t have to participate. When I didn’t fill it out they sent another one, telling me to fill it out today. I refuse to bullied by the feds. Sorry I didn’t hit the first choice which was “Hispanic, non-white”. That is no excuse to harrass me. Do they ask the Mexican people if they are “White, non-hispanic” as their first choice, or do the Mexican’s even have a census?

Sheldon on October 11, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Here in Santa Monica, CA they were hiring the ‘homeless’ as census takers to go door to door. Most here on the Promenade are alcoholics In one case the person is severely schizophrenic and on heavy duty medication (I know her mother well).

sgt on December 13, 2010 at 3:26 pm

March of 2011 and we still have a census worker bothering us. I sent the survey in on time. I even answered a follow up survey asking questions like did we count anyone that lives in a nursing home or is away at college. They stopped coming by around November. And last week it started up again. Three slips of paper left, as well as a voicemail. This is absolutely harassment. My husband sent a letter to the regional office asking them to stay off of our property and quite harassing us.

Mary on March 7, 2011 at 6:23 pm

These Census people are ACORN left overs. They are a formerly a prostitution ring and now the work for Census. Sound Censless to me. Anyways its says that the form is a (Sample). Where in the constitution do I have to answer a “randomly selected sample”. As for these loozers in here saying fill out all the info, well its not hard to see people with NOTHING dont mind filling out a 28 page non-sense form, when your a broke ass with no $$$ in the bank. Sure why not fill it out then. Well Im a hard working,savings account having,rental property owner with $$$$ galore in account with Meryl Lynch as well as CD’s in the bank. HOW IS THIS ANY OF THE CENSUS PEOPLE’S INFO. THE IRS HAS THIS INFO AND I GUARNTEE THAT THESE ACORN LOOZERS WILL RUN YOUR HISTORY THRU THE GOV. AGENCY’S TO GET WHAT THEY WANT. I’m contacting FOX News and stirring this shit up.

Census Workers are ACORN PEOPLE on April 27, 2011 at 9:46 am

I concur with most of the posts on here, I too (was a chosen one) to particiate in this ridiculous American Community Survey. To: (so-called census worker with a brain), you and this whole thing is such a waste of our tax payer’s money.
I sent the form back like most of you,with the number of people living here, just my wife and I. Since that time, I have received a phone call almost every single day for over a month, and lucky me, on my only day off, last Saturday was visited at my house by a very pushy census worker. I refused his questions, then three days later, received an overnight Fedex envelope, sending me the same crap, and threatening me that i would subject to a fine.
I guess this is what our country has stooped to! Harrasing law abiding citizens to become criminals for refusing to give out intrusive personal information.
So today, I sent off a letter to my State Senators, we’ll see what happens!

law abiding citizen on December 13, 2011 at 12:58 pm

These census workers are still bothering me, knocking on the door, windows, etc. My family’s afraid to go out or come in because it’s as if we were being stalked. It’s two years after 2010 already!

As for the law abiding citizen, I find it strange why the government would use fed ex to mail you something. Wouldn’t USPS suffice?

annoyed on January 9, 2012 at 7:04 pm

Yes I also got a FedEx. How much does that cost? I told him I would not answer any questions. Then got the fed ex and tonight he was parked in front of my house and when we left he approached my car.
Police will be called next

Deb on March 13, 2012 at 9:17 pm

I have been “randomly” selected by the census bureau for surveys 4 times in the past 5 years. I live alone. I have always lived alone. I have never been married. I am starting to feel like even my uncle Sam is giving me grief for being single.

sue on March 29, 2012 at 5:45 pm

Census worker just left my door. I peeked our through my glass and saw her clip board that read “U.S. Census Bureau” and I walked right back to the kitchen where my chicken was frying. I refuse to comply with the census…I’m not even complying with the enumeration clause. They know exactly how many people live in my household. Too many records in the goverment already discloses this information. And to know that beyond enumeration, requires giving up more personal information further forces my refusal. My tax records should be enough!

Atlwoman on June 29, 2012 at 8:26 pm

August 2012 and they are once again harrassing us and coming to our home and sinding info in the mail…… I’m thinking of calling a lawyer to see if we have any suing rights.

Lisa on August 12, 2012 at 9:43 am

I believe this is the same form My husband’s 94 year old grandmother is being harassed about. She said she received a 3 page form a month ago and set it a side pretty much applauded at the questions they want her to answer. So for the past few weeks a lady named Janet has been showing up at her door 3 times a day and leaving notes telling her that she has to fill the forms out or face a fine. She’s 94 years old leave her alone!!! We only became aware of this when Janet some how found our # and called the house looking for her. She is suppose to call back tonight since she called earlier and my daughter answered and we weren’t home. She will get a ear full from us.

FedUP on March 7, 2013 at 7:17 pm

What people have written here is utterly shocking to me. I worked multiple tours of duty for the Census and I did my best to collect the “data” as quickly and efficiently as possible. For those I could not initially reach, I left polite notes with my home phone number and for several of the wary I gave them a color copy of my driver’s license and the name of a local police officer, who could vouch for me. I interviewed many people who did file, but still ended up with a visit from me. Most were justifiably upset, but they all spoke politely to me and in all but one case gave me the requested data.

I was originally interested in doing the job, not only because I needed the money, but because I do genealogy as a hobby and I have gleaned significant family information from the old Census tracts. I also solved a family mystery from the information I found in the Census records. The Dicennial Census is a gold mine for genealogists.

It is a hard job being a Census data collector which offers no benefits. The pay is low and the hours are erratic. People are on edge these days and they are angry. Not a great work environment. In the past it used to be a job sought out by retirees, but now with the unemployment sky high there is a more varied pool of people doing the “data” collection. The people I worked with were well educated and genteel. I know we all would have preferred not to do this job under these circumstances, but we all needed the money. Please consider these facts when a Census worker rings your door bell, she is a fellow American pounding the pavement trying to earn a few dollars, possibly at the only job available to her.

I am too young to retire, but too old for most places to hire me. If anyone out there has a good job with benefits, please let me know!

The irony to putting off the interview is that the Census worker is forced by Census protocol to keep returning a certain number of times and is paid for those visits. If you really care about saving the government money you might want to consider plowing through the interview on the first go round.

Census workers are fingerprinted and investigated. I have been fingerprinted on four separate occasions, so I am loathe to touch anything on anyone’s premises, especially a mailbox, which by the way we are trained is only for official mail.

I completely understand why no one wants to answer the personal questions, but I also understand why the government collects the data and for those who do not know, it collects substantial data in between the ten year Census. So any household can be randomly picked for data collection to represent a geographic area. If you do not supply accurate data, your area is not accurately represented.

( regarding the selection process, my husband has been called for jury many times, yet I have not been called once, go figure)

As to “No Trespassing Signs” by law a sworn Census worker has the right to enter your property to collect Census data. That’s it. The job requires the worker to ring or knock on the door, identify herself and show identification. She is also required to explain what the “data” collection entails and to ask politely for your cooperation. If you do not respond the worker is required to leave a visit notice. Depending on the survey she may come back as many as three times, leaving a notice each time. She may also be required to call you at home.

(FYI your personal identifiers are stripped from the raw data. I wish this could be said for the info an HR office acquired from my daughter and obviously did not protect, allowing her to become an id theft victim. The Census never asks for SSNs. )

I have been re-employed by the Census for an upcoming survey, but this time I feel nothing but dread, particularly after reviewing the safety information, specifically protecting myself from carjacking, assault, rape, etc.

Elle on April 27, 2013 at 1:48 pm

I have just been harassed by a census worker. It was not his fault, he was very nice. But the protocol he is required to follow is just wrong. In fact, the entire system is flawed.
Just give them the number of people who live there and complain to your congressman and senator

J Dog on June 9, 2013 at 1:50 pm

Well I am back again to report that the job I am doing has turned out better than I thought. The respondents for the most part are cooperative and pleasant. They understand that these surveys help their communities, so as miserable as it is to donate forty-five minutes and some data to a Census worker they do it.

For the best information about what the Census is doing you folks might want to visit the Census website and investigate how the data that is collected is used. You might be surprised. If you are especially statistical minded and enjoy graphical interfaces you can download the new Census app, while you are there.

And please note the writer on this website often uses statistics in many of her articles. Where do they come from? Someone is collecting them.

Elle on August 8, 2013 at 5:55 pm

j.c. cowan

To

Los.Angeles.Regional.Office@census.gov

TO: Director James T. Christy

Dear Sir:

I am writing to file a complaint about your field agent Angela E. Clark. Please be aware I have already filed a police report with regard to her actions and am filing for a restraining order as well against her personally.

Today at approx 4:25-4:35 p.m. pacific standard time, your field agent Angela E. Clark broke into my home without either my express or implied permission and removed items out of my home without my express or implied permission. I have two witnesses to this effect.
For your information, I have been in the hospital, out of state due to a serious car accident which was not my fault. I am still in very poor health. Also for the record, i suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome from being burgled and broken into in the past so her actions were particularly troublesome.

So here is what happened. Not feeling well I was in the washroom. I also am not particularly mobile due to the accident. I am moving with a great deal of effort and pain. Anyway , while I was in the washroom, your agent entered my home , without any permission for anybody, just walked right into my home, even though she got no response from her knocking ( i heard no knocking as i was in the washroom) but my neighbors, both witnesses to this woman’s behavior, and her breaking into my apt without my consent be it express or implied, said she knocked for a long time before entering my apt. apparently she also asked them where i was as well. and was very aggressive and menacing towards them as well. She even lied to them and said she was a “friend” of mine. Well they had no reason to know i was in the washroom. By entering my apartment without permission, this woman in flagrant violation of my civil rights, peaceful habitation and consitutionally guaranteed rights, let herself into my apartment committing in the very least tresspass. Furthermore, she didn;t just stick her head in the door for a little look-see, no not her, she proceeded to walk through my whole apt and ruffle through my personal things. I finally heard the footsteps walk past the bathroom door and it was the first time i was aware someone was in the apt that i did not know. i thought it was a thief, which it actually was, one named Angela E. Clark who works for your agency, our own government. The only thing I had to grab was the shower curtain rod which i did, figuring if someone opened my bathroom door i would do what i could to defend myself. I had no idea who entered my apt illegally, i had no way to know. It could have been anybody. I live on a busy corner, it could have been a meth head or some other freak. It was very upsetting and frightening for me so much so that i do not feel i can safely stay in my own home anymore.

It would have seemed that if no one answered the door than the purpertrator of this crime, your employee, Angela E. Clark, had no right to enter my home! I have contacted and sought legal counsel and have received confirmation that she violated my rights. Also, I found that my purse had been rifled through, money was missing and personal papers were missing off the table. Is this her little weird harassment game or something? I have read online about the numerous complaints of harassment where your agents are concerned but this is going too far. To wit: if this agent is not fired immediately, and never again allowed to hold any government position of any kind, I will proceed with legal action. All my witnesses are more than willing to testify.

Because of this I feel I cannot stay in my apt and am forced to move. I was very shaken by this woman’s vile and illegal actions. If she continues to work in any government position I will be forced to file a civil suit and will ask that a criminal suit be filed against her for breaking and entering into my home and for theft of property. as well as criminal tresspass. She had no right, none at all to go into my home uninvited and to take things that did not belong to her. If I do not hear from you within five days of the date of this letter informing me of this woman’s immediate termination, I will begin the formal complaint process, I will ask that criminal charges be filed against her and will begin a civil suit for the flagrant violations of my civil liberties. Please note that if she or her representatives darken my door again, they will be in violation or a restraining order and subject to immediate arrest. Also, rest assured that this incident will be flying around the web and if necessary every newspaper i can find who will print it. Furthermore i have alerted the Rutherford institute and the american civil Liberties Union to her actions. I look forward to hearing from you ASAP.

jean cowan on September 6, 2013 at 1:05 am

There is something seriously wrong with this system. Back in 2009 I had filled out the form, and two weeks later they still came to my door and asked me the same questions. It’s as though having one record of my info wasn’t enough. After doing a butt load of searching online, I have come to the realization that the ONLY information I need to be giving them is a head count in my apartment, and that’s all they are getting from now on. If they come to my door, I will tell them I don’t give out personal information through my doorway open to my apartment complex, however for $250 and hour, they are welcome to come into my apartment and ask all the necessary info, which I’m sure they wont do. They will be instructed to leave me a mail in form to fill out, and that is the ONLY way they will get a head count from me. If they claim they will just keep having to come back to harass me, I will tell them no problem, just make sure to bring a new mail in form each time.

Ray Marks on April 30, 2014 at 5:49 pm

As others have stated, they could get this information in other ways. So what is this REALLY about? 1) Compliance training. 2) You letting the vampire in? See, even in myth a vampire couldn’t enter your house unless you let them in.

Alex on June 22, 2014 at 10:20 pm

You know those commercials that feature “the most interesting man in the world. Using the same passwords across multiple site increases your risk of being compromised. That year, the virtually unknown Jimmy Carter, the former governor of Georgia, won the Democratic nomination after winning the New Hampshire primary, again because of the democratic reforms Mc – Carthy helped bring about.

streetrace rivals hack on October 3, 2014 at 1:30 pm

for almost 20 years ALL of my mail goes to a PO box. ALL of it. Even my driver’s license and DMV registration is shows my PO box number address.

Almost two weeks ago a census taker left a note at my front door with her business card. I’m guessing the ACS was sent to the physical address and was returned to sender. She left a handwritten note on 3-ring loose leaf paper stating she needed to talk to me.

I went to the internet and googled everything about the ACS and even reviewed the questions which I flat out feel are none of their darned business. I live alone. What’s worse, I was burglarized a year ago. I answer the door for NO ONE.

So I ignored it. This week, last Tuesday she came back. Another handwritten note. Polite, but so bloody unprofessional. I ignored it.

Today, Saturday, another person came back and left another handwritten note about needing to set up an appointment.

This is 3 visits in about 10 days.

I am annoyed. I feel stalked. I feel pretty much as I did when I was burglarized.

I consulted legal counsel and was told the best course of action is to do nothing at all. The minute I respond in any way, they basically “have my number.”

By not responding, I was told, they cannot prove that they contacted me. And no one’s been prosecuted since about 1980.

And so I’m wondering when they’re coming again. I don’t feel comfortable going out and walking my dog or going to the garage to get in my car. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING ME.

Lynn S on November 16, 2014 at 12:11 am

Building this type of unit is the best way for a home gardener
to get a closet garden set up that perfectly fits into the space they have.
These smaller greenhouses are compact enough to be set
on a table or shelf. They produce the two main wavelengths that plants need for their growth, which are the blue light
and the red light.

Brayden on November 19, 2014 at 6:32 am

I answered many questions incorrectly on purpose…I answered questions about race and such correctly but as to having internet,satellite,vehicle,etc…screw ’em…they’re really going to fine or jail me for lying about media access…too many ways to get around that!!!

Easta Wabbit on November 21, 2014 at 4:01 am

does anyone think that picking a fight with the Census is petty? I mean, I know readers here are very very into privacy. But I don’t think ppl need to pick a fight with every supposed intrusion into someone’s private life.

Rick Santorum on August 8, 2015 at 7:10 pm

I think its interesting that a “TEACHER” would make such an ignorant comment as “I dont depend on the government & they should pry into the lives of those getting welfare checks” -Do you drive on roads? You teach at a public school? Do your kids attend school? Do you have a mortgage? Do you buy your food from a store & expect it to be safe to consume? Do you depend on medication to live or ever needed medication(antibiotics,inhaler)that you get from a pharmacy or over the counter? Do you have running water in your house? THAN YOU DEPEND ON THE GOVT you idiot!! The fact is that the information you supply is extremely important & your reluctance just shows how ignorant you are because anyone could get ALL your info.(including what color your panties are that are all wadded up) needed in nefarious ways but the Census would rather you do it knowingly & accurately & you also have the option to refuse to any question that you feel is so PRIVATE-what a bunch of losers

peoplerdumb on August 13, 2015 at 8:49 pm

The video claims that the Census Bureau only has limited Authority, and to some degree that’s true but the American Community survey is legally been created to update some of that information more frequently. You are required to answer some of the questions other of the questions you can refuse, but you are legally mandated to respond to it.

The people who are going on and on about having somebody knock on their door at 8 and then again at 11? Would you prefer that they came back the next day at 8? We are trying to be efficient. We are often traveling as much as an hour or two to get to your door to follow up in the area of your house. So in other words if I’m sent to Yonkers I’m also going to go to Port Chester. If someone is not home in Port Chester at 8 or doesn’t answer the door at 8 when I’m done in Yonkers I might go back to Port Chester and knock again. We are trying to be efficient with tax money. You would think you would appreciate that.

Census worker on November 3, 2018 at 3:17 pm

The powers of government are not limited to the Constitution, there’s a whole body of law beyond the Constitution. It has to be held to the standard of the Constitution, but not every function of the Census Bureau needs to be explicitly enumerated in the Constitution. You would think that was something you could figure out, but obviously not.

Census worker on November 3, 2018 at 3:18 pm

Finally for all you privacy freaks, we do everything we can to protect your data, it is not shared in any way that we connect the information to you with anyone including within the Census Bureau. We are subcontracted by other agencies and by your representatives to get the information that is necessary to make intelligent policy decisions. You’d think you’d want intelligent policy but decisions to be made, based on actual information, but I guess some of you are too paranoid to want that and you just want people to throw Solutions at the wall like bad spaghetti and see if they’ll stick.

Census worker on November 3, 2018 at 3:20 pm