Does the Census surveyors go inside your house to ask questions?

Question

A lady just came into my house and said she was from the Census and wanted to ask questions for the 2010 Census. She is asking my dad some questions, but could she be a scammer or getting information about our house? She looks innocent enough, but just making sure just in case this is a known ploy or if the Census actually does this.

Answer 1

census workers must show ID...must.  and they wear ID badges issued by the government.  but as far as i know,  there is not a census being taken since it was just done in 2005.  i say notify the police so they can patrol your neighborhood more frequently, leave the outside lights on at night, keep the doors and windows locked and talk to your neighbors!  nothing like getting the neighbors involved!  you are right to listening to that little voice inside of you...smart!

Answer 2

She's a scammer. They won't be even starting on the 2010 Census until the year 2010 as far as gathering information in  person from people. I worked on the 1990 census. If she is from the Census Bureau she will have a photo ID identifying her as an employee of that bureau which is within the U.S. Department of Commerce. If she doesn't have one, don't let her in. Once she has left contact your local police and ask them to pass on the information about her to the FBI. Or you could do that yourself. She faces prison time for impersonating a Federal employee or official.

Answer 3

The census hasn't started yet.