So glad I found this site. I am in the middle of this ACS thing now and refusing to answer. Received two survey forms, three letters and two visits at my door and awaiting a third based on a lovely letter I received yesterday announcing yet another visit. All this and I live on an Army installation!

I am appalled at this whole thing and believe me when that survey taker arrives at my door again, she is going to get an ear full. My hubby has served this country for over 30 years, we are about to retire and what a lovely retirement gift we are receiving (NOT)!....Harrasment, compliments of the government, just lovely (NOT). We did not support and defend the Constitution for this crap. The oath means something to us and I for one am going to continue to tell them to stick it where the Sun Does Not Shine!

I really like what anon18185 did, about looking up the census person and finding out information about them and not have thrown away the census questionnaire. Ha! I wish I would have kept the census person's name. However, I am sure I will get another one. I too am going to do the same. Get every bit of info on that person I can (don't forget to do a criminal search) and call them and start asking them questions they will find offensive and question them about their personal life from what I find out about them. Let's see how much they like it.

I am glad I am not the only one who tossed the thing in the garbage. I think someone should have a web cam ready when they come to the door. I have a few ideas to annoy them: Answer the door buck naked while eating a piece of chicken. Let them in and then fart really loud. Perhaps act so insanely crazy they will be glad to leave. Act drunk and make like you're going to be sick on them or pretend to pass out. If a person of the same sex comes to your door, act like you're interested in them and start touching their hair. With Halloween right around the corner, how about scare the crap out of them. I would personally love to sit and watch hours of this kind of stuff. Yes we find the government annoying, but we could turn things around to our advantage and make things fun. then maybe somebody will get the hint that we don't want our lives invaded.

Well it started for me. First survey last month. That went into the fire. Then came the second one,it followed the first. The calls started Wednesday. First from a phone bot then yesterday a phone call from a real person. I hung up. Today another call demanding to know my name and telling me I would be fined. I hung up. Video camera is by the door for the on-site contact which will be next. We will then see them online. As a retired LEO, state law keeps all my info private, unless court ordered. These vermin can pound sand. Don't give in.

I filled it out. We have 273 people living in this house with no plumbing, I go to work at 2 a.m. and get home at 2:30. I started my business for 75 cents. no one here is related etc., etc. You get the picture. I am not telling them anything.

When they arrive on your property, order them off your property. If they refuse, call 911 and report a hostile trespasser. The state police will show up and *escort* them off your property. Don't touch them and if they do touch you, even slightly, fall down and don't get up until an ambulance arrives. Then you've got them by the balls.

Too late I read the comments about this article and I got a phone call from the ACS. They had been to my house (outside) and told me this was coming. While talking to the ACS lady on the phone I found out they didn't have a complete address and had sent me a form. Apparently my post office would not send it to me. I heard I had to answer the questions or face a possible fine of $5000.00 so I answered the questions. Now I wish I hadn't answered her on the phone. I see a lot of people have more courage than me.

We have received 3 demands from the Census Bureau. It is SBO-1 (Survey for Business Owner and Self Employed) and states that it is mandatory per Title 13 USC. This appears to be the same scenario as the ACS. Can anyone tell me about this?

Just throw the census form in the trash. In 2000 I refused to fill mine out. I put up with some minor harassment and then after a few weeks it stopped. They gave up on me. You don't want your personal information in some library, online or in an archives someday do you? Don't fill it out. Protect your privacy. If they harass you with phone calls change your number before they do the census and keep it unlisted. The census is satanic.

So glad I came across this website while researching whether or not I had to respond to this stupid ACS I just got in the mail. Way too much info requested (stuff I wouldn't tell my friends, let alone the government!!) I am glad to know there are plenty out there who are refusing to let our rights be trampled on!! Our Constitution is being dismantled before our eyes, but this will be one stand we'll make and keep encouranging others to do the same. If every household in the nation received this survey at once, there might be more of any outcry and uproar for our government to cut out the nonsense or face a revolution! But I guess they probably figured that out, so decided to send it to only 2.6 percent of the population at a time. Cowards! :0 We shall not be intimidated! Keep up the good fight!

I say the heck with Big Brother, ours is going in the garbage, and I'm no longer answering their calls (love caller ID)!

they will tell you its the law, but since when do we have to answer to the government who lives in our house and who they are related to and what time we go to work, what time to we return? do we have a hot water heater? how much to start our businesses etc. its nothing short of communism folks!! i love my country and its freedom and its up to us to keep the communism out!!

My husband and I run a small trucking company, and we received a census form for the business. I had never heard of such a thing. I thought the purpose of census was for representation purposes. This questionnaire asked how we got the funds to open the business, and how much money we spent to start up operation! Can anyone please tell me if I am obligated to answer these questions. I do not think I should have to give out that kind of information

I first starting receiving these things by mail like 4 years ago. I asked my accountant about them and he recommended not to fill them out. After the first couple of letters I received I started getting harassing phone calls from them. I have yet to fill one out. The latest thing they are doing is having the postal carrier come to my door and have me sign a delivery confirmation. I just dont answer the door. Thank you for creating this site and letting me know that I am not alone with receiving these and answering them.

what is this country coming to? all the government tries to say if they want you to do something is say "its the law" thinking people will run and do what they say. i respect my government and i am proud to be an american, but since when is it any of their business if i have a hot water heater or how far i travel to work? good thing inflation is under control and gas prices are not skyrocketing for no reason, and unemployment figures are under control, that they have nothing better to do than harass an honest hardworking taxpayer.

I, too, have been harassed by the Census Bureau. Over a college survey they want me to take. I am literally getting up to six phone calls a day, mass mailings, and mass e-mails. It's unbelievable that they have the right to do this, on principle alone, I will not. I have a right to not be harassed in my home. And you just know that if I answer a survey about college, they will just send me another next year and keep tracking me. Horrible, and a total violation of my rights across the board. I don't owe the government anything for going to college. If anything, they could have made it easier for us all so we wouldn't have to be in debt for years just to get an education.

I am going to avoid all traps and when it is time to have them finally come over I am going to do an international webcast and sing answers and slowly say, ohhhhh I don't know....let me think and sit there for 15 minutes for each question....everyone will know where I don't work, how much money I don't make and that I don't have plumbing and that I fart alot...

I will post it.

The ACS (for City planning my A@##).

That's the game the Nazi's started with in the 30's as did Stalin, with the knocks on the door and the spying on each other. Next step will be implanting us with chips, or tattooing our arms.

This questionnaire id just too personal and invasive of ones rights as a citizen in any country, let alone (supposedly) "The Land of the Free and The Brave" did Cheney, Bush, McCain, Obama fill one out? I very much doubt.

I shall be contacting my Senator and Congressman to voice my alarm and concern on another gross infringement of my Civil Liberties. A concerned citizen.

We have received 2 ACS long forms and multiple phone calls and now a front door visit. I called the number left on the card and told the enumerator the Constitutional, Article 1, Section 2 as follows:

"The actual Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct."

The enumeration is *solely for the purposes of elected representative apportionment* I told her the ACS is a violation of the Constitution and I did not believe it would be used to "provide" me schools or hospitals or fire stations, but rather to spy on me. The most aggressive "ally" nation caught spying on the United States is Israel. I have little doubt that the ACS data is already in Israel's possession. Who knows what other "enemy" nations also have it.

This is a violation of our privacy and a malevolent use of government power. If the enumerators cannot get this info from the Social Security Administration or the local state tax boards then there must be a reason why not!

Years ago someone told me that the information can be used in a book (that may or may not be in your library) that is published showing where you work, how long you lived at your residence, etc. Anything that you answer can be used for this book, which is usually for your town, county, etc. I didn't believe him until he showed me the book. Don't fill out anything if you don't want the public to know some of your private information. You send it in it could become public information. To those who say they can't publish anything like that, I have seen it. its no joke.

Just got my second second ACS survey in the last three years. First time around it ended with phone calls and then they I was given a $25 gift card at the Home Depot. I threw it away. I don't get mad about much but privacy is basic American. This second survey is going right in the burner.

Thank you, fellow Americans! I needed to read this! Others have reminded me that this information about me is posted out in the paper world, cyber world, etc., somewhere.

But it hasn't ever needed to be collected by a government agency that is supposed to serve WE, the people and then threatens us with fines, treating good citizens like criminals... (I thought counting people was like one, two, three, four,...?)

Its as if this part of the government wants to create dirt on someone if they can find it!

This is proof that the government of the USA is anything but the servant that it was created to be. The Founding Fathers wanted the power to stay with the people - but it took a revolution to secure it. Our government today is so far from the Founding Father's ideals - demonstrated by the nasty face we are seeing in these examples.

How many of our signers of the Declaration of Independence would fill out and sign THIS ACS form?

There are friends who ask me if I want to put up with the harassment from the government -wouldn't it be easier to just give in and give the information to them? All I can think of is that every time one of us gives in and allows this servant to go unchallenged, then they get bolder, prouder, and we get used to it and then we are eventually abused by them.

I don't want abuse from anyone, least of all from those who were once subject to the people and who now act as if they are the elite. So I stand up to them and say NO, you don't need my private information in order to serve me better!

I will give the information to those who really need it to improve my neighborhood, city, county, etc. Since when has the Federal government come to my door or anyone else’s and said "We want to help you get your road paved..." or any other helpful act, and then asked me for my help by filling out a form to prove the necessity? I guess it's too simple, or full of common sense. It can't be done if the government is a complex, dishonest mess.

A truly honest, upright government does not hire goons and bullies to do any work for them. And it would not fabricate stories in order to confiscate private information from the people it should be serving.

I also ignored the mailed survey. I ignored the phone when it rang. I even downloaded a sound bite that said this number has been disconnected and is no longer in service. I didn't hear from them for about two weeks. Then they came to my door while I was out of town and left me a note with their name and number. I googled the name and phone number, found out their spouses name where they lived, etc. The census person came back by a week later. When I answered the door she said who she was and had a survey for me. I told her I wasn't interested. She said actually it's mandatory. I told her actually it's not. I told her to get a US Marshall with a warrant. She said they don't do that. I said, what makes you think I'm going to turn over my personal information to a total stranger knocking on my door. She offered me her badge and supervisors number. I told her I wasn't calling anybody. I told her not to come back or I would spray her with my garden hose. As she walked away, I told her that her husband Ray just called and wanted her to stop at the store at a location next to her house. She was a little surprised how I knew things about her. I was really hoping she would stick around and argue with me some more, I was kinda of enjoying it because I knew there wasn't anything she could do. Let's see if she comes back for her shower.

I now have multiple visits to my home every day, followed up by threatening calls with an hour of each. I told them I was not responding, and as I shut the door and walked away she stood on the porch and rang the bell, and since then it's all gone down hill. I get hourly calls during the week. I sent an e-mail to headquarters. Fine, sue me, I dare you, but stop holding me hostage in my home.

I am 66 years old and I have never participated in any census. I never will. Ignore any paperwork they send you, hang up if they call you, demand they leave your property if they come to your home. They are a toothless tiger.

I am grateful for this site...I just got the survey in the mail and felt very intimidated into having to complete it....or else. Would I really be fined or imprisoned? OMG!! So hesitantly, I began to fill it out. When I got to the financial questions I thought - what?? this is absurd. Who are these people and why are they telling me I am obligated by law to provide my personal information to some one or some entity I don't know. I did not ask for this; this is not an application for credit.

After reading the notes on this site, I decided - ACS...destination, shredder. Now let me get my cell phone fully charged and ready for the doorbell to ring. 10 minutes ago I felt apprehensive. Now....I look forward to answering that door, cell in hand, and pressing the "video record" button. Bring it on ACB enumerators......go ahead, make my day!! I'll see "YOU" on the tube...."You Tube". Perfect.

Ok, we all agree that our rights have been violated. Now, do we all agree that harassing people is against the law??! Now, I want to know how we go about suing these senseless census idiots! We are entitled to "Quiet Enjoyment" of our homes. That means *not* having our door pounded on constantly and yelled at that we are violating the law by not allowing these rude, despicable low class jerks into our homes! We do not have to be subjected to this mistreatment, Ladies and Gentlemen!! We do not have to fear picking up the phone or answering our door. We should not have to fear such "power hungry, and commission-crazy animals! PLEASE let's get them back once and for all! We are all empowered, so we need to get together to sue!

12286: Don't worry, and don't respond. They have no authority to uphold the ACS laws and they WON'T take action b/c they KNOW if this survey got out in the media it would be eliminated by public outcry. I went through this myself and I read a Web forum that spanned several years with posters who had received the form, and what they had experienced. NO ONE EVER GETS IN TROUBLE for refusing to answer. They only get idle threats. Just hang tough and they will eventually leave you alone. Don't engage them in conversation or reason with them. Just slam the phone or door on them. The less you say to them the faster they stop bothering you.

I'm fed up with the ACS and all their nosing in my business. While the survey states that my address was selected at random for the survey, they have my address and unlisted telephone number, which they call regularly. First I didn't send the form back "as soon as possible". Mind you, no return by date was given. When I did return it, I left off my personal business. If they aren't paying my bills they don't have a need to know how much they are. I am a law abiding American citizen, tax payer (working 2 jobs) and a registered voter, not a criminal or bum or illegal immigrant living off the tax payers.

Don't be afraid. They can't really do anything and they certainly aren't going to. The Census Bureau would have to refer a case to the Dept of Justice, they have no power of their own. And send a Federal Marshal out to write you a ticket. And the Justice Dept is not going to spend time on this. It has been more than 40 years since that was done and they do not want any court case to be brought up that can challenge the constitutionality of their threats. And the big 2010 census is coming and they can't have ANY negative publicity. They are just being bullies. You are a perfect example of why people should be outraged by the ACS. They think that if they exert a little authority, show you a badge, write a stern letter, that you will be too afraid to tell them that they have no right to subject you to this.

This is Government out of control. That's all it is. Say no to everything. If you give them a little info they will keep at you until you give in. If you got grilled before then they are trying to find out the change in your situation over time. You have a file and they are trying to use changes in your life situation to justify government programs.

I wish you luck. Do as you see fit. I am young and strong and will not put up with this sort of thing.

I just had hip surgery, when the buzzer rang this evening (Saturday 6:30p.m.) this person got in the building somehow! I hollered at the door that "I'm a crippled senior and DO NOT open my door unless its my kids".... she yelled thru the door announcing her name & bla bla "...census, have some questions for you"..I'll just leave my card & you can call me next week!"

Yeah right! When hell freezes over. What I wanna know for sure is: Can they make, force, and punish you for not filling out this thing? I just moved to a suburb outside of Detroit after years of living there, and its strange but I also got 'grilled' the last time it came around. so no more. I'm too old and sick.

Thank you for answering, I am grateful for this site, but hesitant to put email addy, or other info about me.

signed, WORRYING in Ferndale, MI

I upgraded my cell phone to one that I can take video with and that has a large memory. I told the second person who called me that I had already refused to cooperate with the first person who called. I had missed several calls but the pattern seemed to be that I got them every other day. She said she would mark me down as 'refused' If someone actually shows up I am going to take control of the interview and video my demand that they leave and not come back, and their response. They are not going to like the possibility that they might end up on YouTube and be linked to all the sites discussing the ACS. Their bosses are going like it even less.

There is only a theoretical possibility that they could fine you. The Census Bureau can't issue a fine, they have to refer the case to the Dept. of Justice. The last time that happened was more than 40 YEARS ago. The BIG 2010 census count is coming soon. The plan to use lap tops to do the door to door counts for non-respondents has already been junked. Millions of dollars wasted! Don't you think someone high up already has their * in a wringer over that? Think anyone is going to get approval to send out US Marshals to issue tickets? After 40 years and right before everybody in the country is supposed to reply to the 2010 census? Ain't going to happen, just call their bluff.

If you read and listen to them carefully they actually say that it's mandatory and you could be fined. They never say that they are going to fine you. When I mentioned the threat of a fine to the last caller she seemed horrified that I would accuse her of that and went out of the way to state that she didn't bring it up.

anon10731 is obviously a census worker!!!!!!

we have every right to keep our privacy!!!! this stupid stupid government and all its crap... we have been harassed over and over and over and today again. i get home dont even get out of the parking lot, she pulls up. "is your name blah blah blah?" and even spells it. this is a new one. how the hell does she know me and what i look like, shes never been to our door yet. makes you wonder!!!???? i told her no, she kept asking, i kept telling her no and eventually snuck in my apartment when she drove to park. what the hell??? im a normal 27 year old female, trying to live my life. they started harassing my boyfriend and some how i got thrown into it because i live here.... so earlier before i got home he called me and told me his story of her showing up. so i would be prepared. she wouldnt tell him who she was and kept insisting to come in. finally he told her he would call the cops if she didnt leave. she said go ahead i'll wait.... all this while he was getting ready for work. i wish i still had my camcorder so i could do like the person said. i hate these people. i have nothing to hide but i shouldnt be forced to tell anyone anything and thats what makes me mad!!! so i will protect myself and my privacy and never give in just for the fact its my right!!!!!!!!!

Get on with your life and answer the census. Don't be paranoid, it's only a few questions a lot of people already know about you anyway.

I am getting bothered by the census people now and what really annoys me to death is that I look all over the place and see all these people with basement apartments making tons of money off the books. They bring in all additional people running up monies needed for schools, social programs. welfare etc. and they are the ones who should be paying extra taxes for that. They are the ones making the money tax free - not me. I just get to pay more taxes for their tax free gain and it just is not fair. but who gets the census??? me. It is just such a sick country now. It's a land of the free ok but I ask everyday "for who??" Public servants are just public burdens and every time their benefits cost more I have to pay for them and I don't even have any myself!!!!Now I have to pay for temp workers who have my private info to sell overseas maybe???? Why doesn't the gov just sell us some cyanide instead of slowly picking away at our bones? The gov has lost what is called common sense and buried it under a ton of manure.

My blood pressure is through the roof right now after reading this survey. I want to put it in the woodstove and make my house a fortress. This government is OUT OF CONTROL! I feel kind of sick too.... in the '90s the Commerce Dept decided that I was a resort or apartment complex owner and harassed me to fill out a survey detailing my expenditures on repairs, income reports etc. I never have, EVER owned an apartment or resort. That didn't stop the harassment, visits leaving notes while I was at work, or conversations asking my neighbors questions about me like I was some criminal or something. I never did get ahold of the idiot at Commerce- she sure had lots of vacation time. Wound up yelling at anyone who would speak to me and finally the harassment stopped.

In 1990 I returned the long form and after a couple weeks one of their incompetents showed at my doorstep saying I hadn't returned it. Of course I had, but she got snotty like I was lying and said we would have to fill it out over again right-here-right-now. I insisted that the little brownshirt leave and go look in the mailroom because I was not going to do it over again-like I have nothing better to do.........she said I was in BIG trouble because she could FORCE me to do it over. They must have found it because I heard no more but neither did I get an apology.

This summer I sold my house and tried to cancel my FEMA flood insurance. The guy at FEMA said he needed my closing statement-I had sent that in but removed all the dollar amounts as that was none of their business. That didn't go over to well and he told me that I was refusing to comply with a government agency and wouldn't get my money back.

The next day I called back and talked to a different agent or whatever they are. I asked her if she had gotten a statement from my mortgage company-a release- and she found it and sent the refund. Did not need the closing statement. Seemed like they try to collect more info than they need but will give in if you call them on their crime.

Back to this census nonsense: I filled out the 2000 and don't owe them a thing until 2010 census. And everyone should have to fill out the same thing-how come I get the long form every time? How come I get the ACS? Why am I in the unlucky 2.5%?

I think that I will put this in the woodstove-just don't tell the EPA or they will be here to take away my woodstove....

Where is the America I grew up in? Will we ever return to our freedoms? Is the enemy offshore or some creep in a bloated Federal Dept we don't even need?

What you say is true. I've been harassed by phone at night and Sundays. They also made an unannounced visit. I threw them off my property.

If it gets to the point where they actually come to your house, the "enumerator" is going to tell you it's too late to give your answers to the Survey in writing, and he'll insist (threaten) that you must tell him the personal details of your life while he types it into his laptop computer.

These "enumerators" aren't policemen and they can't make you answer their questions or let them into your house.

The last thing the execs at the Census Bureau want to see is a video of one of their "enumerators" on YouTube, the Six O'clock News, or in Congress or a courtroom harassing and threatening a citizen/voter with a big fine or jail time if that person refuses to give out the personal details of his life to a perfect stranger.

If one of these goons shows up at your door you should immediately get out your camera phone or camcorder and put it right in their face and turn it on. I guarantee it will be a short and polite conversation and the last time they ever bother you!

The ACS and Census Bureau have no legal standing to enforce the bogus laws that were passed to allow this survey. They would have to take you to court, and they haven't done that EVER. They do NOT enforce noncompliance, because they know this survey is UNAmerican and UNConstitutional and would NOT stand up in a court of law against The People. So they bully and threaten and use fear to scare people into compliance. Have no fear. Throw the thing in the garbage, leave on your answering machine for a few weeks, and slam the door in the face of anyone who comes by. Stonewall them out. They DO go away. I've been through it. If we don't stand up and protect our rights we will lose them b/c the gvmt is all too happy to take as many away as possible for their own benefit at our expense.

They have came to my door unannounced on many occations. They have also threatened to fine or jail me. This is harrassment, I am no threat. They are instilling fear. A tactic that is used too frequently in our society as a means of control. It is my constitutional right to privacy. Yet, it seems lately that these rights are being taken from the American people. Are we going to let this happen?

God bless you for creating this site! Last year I was hounded by these people and they are back I am so glad I did not answer or call or contact them I cannot believe this information is relevant for city planning...the person above said it best.

The ACS is better than a surveillance on the American family. Now who you work for, when you go to work, how much you make; is all stored in a government database.

The last time I looked, American's had the right to privacy. Whats next from our GOVERNMENT; the police saying your papers please? It's is reminiscent of Hitler's rise to power. That alone, in the wrong hands; is reason NOT to respond to such a blatant abuse of power.