Is it the same? or different questions? Is there a phone number? or could someone hunting for sales information. This late I would be very leary and not release any information.

Does it say 2010 Census on it? What is the address it is to be returned to. That 'might' offer a clue, if Googled.

I too would be suspicious that is much too late for the true government census material.

How to Recognize and Report 2010 Census Scams

Fraudulent Activity and Scams

Doesn't sound right to me.

Are you talking about the huge American Community Survey? That invasive piece of carp?

It is legitimate and you will be harassed to fill it out and turn it in.

But you don't have to as long as you are willing to put up with 3 months of calls and a person on your doorstep a time or two.

I didn't. It takes 3 months and then they move on to another mark.

It is legit (in a manner of speaking) and they can prosecute you for not filling it out but to date not one person has been fined or prosecuted. basicly they don't dare because they don't want to open this invasive can of worms to court scrutiny.

Just politely say NO.

Yes, its the American Community survey. It says "Your response is required by Law" ! I hate doing this stuff, do we really have to?

No you don't have to. Read my response. They try to scare you into compliance with a bunch of legalese. Google it.

I did a quick search on this latest information sent out by the census bureau. It is fairly new as opposed to the regular census form--quite detail and very long and apparently very detail. They claim they can and will fine you if you don't fill it out etc, also they claim some of the information will be compared to the information on your tax forms etc. I truly don't know, but maybe by contacting your representative and then the census bureau, they will discontinue it. I personally do not see any reason for it-as they are making claims for--type in American Community Survey-scam and see some of the reasons listed--it scared me to see them as so much information for not a valid reason.

Here are the steps I went through.

They sent the survey.

I tossed it.

They sent a second one.

I did not respond.

They called. My answering machine picked up.

Someone dropped by the house. I wasn't home and they left a note to call them. I ignored them.

The calls became nightly annoyances.

After a few weeks I got tired of deleting them and answered the phone.

It went like this:

Survey taker: Hi I am calling about the ACS we sent you.

Me: First I will need to know your full name, where you live and your income.

Survey caller: But but but we are sworn to secrecy.

Me: So am I. Have a good night. (I hung up)

Never heard back. Guess they went on to try to intimidate someone else.

BTW I was prepared to do the same to anyone who showed up at my door. They would be asked to leave...once. Then they would have been escorted off my property.

I remember getting flamed here at the KT for my attitude toward these poor govmint workers. LOL

I thought the census was DONE last year. It's supposed to be done every ten years. Do they provide a phone number if you have questions? If not, throw it away.

Thanks for the info. This sure can be annoying! People just want to know TOO much information.

I'd love to fill out the American Community Survey.

But then, I liked filling out the long census form back when they still used it. The ACS has taken its place.

I used to work for the government. We had some knowledge of census procedures. If you don't respond to the original census by mail, they'll send a second set a few months later. If you don't respond to that, the third contact is a "field visit" from a census taker who will have a picture ID. I've answered several census forms, they never ask my income, religion,Social Security Number or anuthing personal, Just name, age, address, race. I don't think my race is important, but I answer anyway. You can tell by looking at me.

I looked at it, they do ask income, and phone number. Its not their business. I'm sure these things are not accurate anyway. Its says it takes 38 min. to fill out. Do I really feel like doing this, NO.

Not that it helps you any but I was actually visiting the KT for a break from the census.gov website, lol. I have spent all morning pulling WV data from the 2000 Census data files (2010 has not been released completely yet). I need it for a comparison with some of the demographic data we collected on a state-wide health needs assessment. We used the Census data to determine how representative our sample is of the overall state. So far fairly representative which is a good thing. I have also used the ACS data for other projects but not as often.

I fill out the surveys I get since I actually use them but then I also do not get too many. Heck, the 2010 Census forms were the first ones I ever got! We ask income range (usually use the census income ranges) on several of our surveys- don't care what a specific person/family income is but it is the easiest way to determine if the respondents are representative across socioeconomic levels. I always snicker when someone writes "none of your business" in the margin or if they write "fat" instead of actually writing their weight. I like the fact that they felt empowered enough to speck up for themselves even if it messes up my data analysis.

Thought I'd post a link to the whole enchilada for those who haven't seen it before.

Not only do they want ultra personal info on you and your family but on everyone who has lived there. Even someone who just rents a room.

Questions like what time do you leave and return for work and who rides in each car etc. Income questions and even mental health questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Entire Suvey

Thanks wildchild for publishing the survey. It is kind of scary as to income, interest etc. Wonder why they want all this information.