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Census Bureau

Sharp10rSharp10r Registered User regular
edited November 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
So I've been required to fill out a survey by the Census (USA). I mailed it out last week (Friday) and got a call from them today saying they never received it and I needed to "fill it out over the phone." They say this thing takes 40 minutes, but that's bull. it took me a long time to colelct all the data they wanted and now they want me to do it again? It's their post office that lost it as far as I'm concerned.
Now- what are the legal implications for telling them "I already fulfilled my requirement- go fly a kite." Fines? Jail time?

Sharp10r on

Posts

  • firewaterwordfirewaterword Satchitananda Pais Vasco to San FranciscoRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    From census.gov:
    Yes. Respondents are required to answer all questions on the American Community Survey (ACS) to the best of their ability. Response to this and other Census surveys is required by law (Section 221 of Title 13, Chapter 7, United States Code). This chapter also contains information regarding offenses and possible penalties. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3571 and Section 3559, in effect amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221 by changing the fine for anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers from a fine of not more than $100 to not more than $5,000.

    firewaterword on
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  • Bionic MonkeyBionic Monkey Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited November 2009
    Sharp10r wrote: »
    So I've been required to fill out a survey by the Census (USA). I mailed it out last week (Friday) and got a call from them today saying they never received it and I needed to "fill it out over the phone." They say this thing takes 40 minutes, but that's bull. it took me a long time to colelct all the data they wanted and now they want me to do it again? It's their post office that lost it as far as I'm concerned.
    Now- what are the legal implications for telling them "I already fulfilled my requirement- go fly a kite." Fines? Jail time?

    Do you have proof that you mailed it? If not, how well do you think "I already fulfilled my requirement- go fly a kite." will hold up in court?

    Bionic Monkey on
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  • Sharp10rSharp10r Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    I don't have proof I mailed it. They gave me a pre-paid mailer so I mailed it back without a receipt. Wouldn't the burden of proof be on them to make criminal charges that I did NOT fill out and mail back my questionnaire? (Though I guess- it looks like I'm under obligation to answer ALL questions- so if they ask me over the phone questions that happen to be the same- I'm probably still responsible.)
    Man- $5,000. That sucks. Well I'll fill it out over the phone tomorrow, but I'm not going to spend all night tonight recollecting the data they need. I'm not donating any more of my time than I have to. He can wait for me to find the answers while on hold.

    Sharp10r on
  • JokermanJokerman Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Does the census prosicute people?

    Jokerman on
  • SmokeStacksSmokeStacks Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    So this isn't someone calling you from a local phone number asking you a lot of questions about your date of birth and social security number, is it?

    SmokeStacks on
  • JokermanJokerman Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
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    Naw, I don't do buisness with the government over the tellephone!

    Jokerman on
  • RaneadosRaneados police apologist you shouldn't have been there, obviouslyRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    as far as I know, while the punishment does exist for not completing the census (I think it's a fine).

    I believe not one person has ever actually BEEN fined for it

    ever

    Raneados on
  • RaneadosRaneados police apologist you shouldn't have been there, obviouslyRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    they're not going to file criminal charges against you for not completing the census

    Raneados on
  • Eat it You Nasty Pig.Eat it You Nasty Pig. tell homeland security 'we are the bomb'Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    people have been fined for it, but not since the fifties or something like that, I forget. And the fine is only a hundred bucks.

    Eat it You Nasty Pig. on
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  • QuidQuid Definitely not a banana Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Sharp10r wrote: »
    It's their post office that lost it as far as I'm concerned.

    Actually no, it's not. Working for the government doesn't give them any more control over the post office than you have.

    Quid on
  • ReitenReiten Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Double check on this. Does the Census EVER follow up with a phone call? I'd find a phone number for the Census folks and call them to find out rather than answer questions from someone calling you.

    Reiten on
  • wallakawallaka Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    I worked on the Census during the last one, and AFAIK the Bureau doesn't call people to collect data. It sends them to your house. The only way for them to get your number is for you to give it to them, as well. They might call to clarify an answer, but not to fill out the whole form.

    And doesn't the Census start in March of next year?

    wallaka on
  • RaneadosRaneados police apologist you shouldn't have been there, obviouslyRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    is this even the census or is it just some survey FROM the census?

    Raneados on
  • Sharp10rSharp10r Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    It's called the American Community Survey, and it is legit, so is the calling center from which the calls come. I told the lady to give me another day for it to arrive in their mail. Tuesday 9am I'll take their stupid survey over the phone. Oy. I guess we can call this thread "solved"

    Sharp10r on
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