This information is copied and pasted from an email I get from the office of Ed Claire,
Indiana State Representative of District 72. Some of the info is pertinent and some just
interesting. Think of the tax dollars we'd save if we all give even just the base
information.
Indiana Achieves Nation's 3rd-Highest Census Return Rate
Door-to-door phase will continue until July -- Beware of potential scams
Many of you have participated in the 2010 Census by returning your census form in the
mail. I want to thank all those who participated, as the mail-in phase is now complete. By
working together, Indiana has been able to achieve a 78% return rate, considerably higher
than the national rate of 72%. In fact, the Hoosier return rate was third-highest in the
country. This is an improvement over the 76% rate we achieved in 2000.
The Census Bureau is starting door-to-door phase of the population count, a process that
will continue through July 10. If you were unable to return a census form by mail, you may
receive a visit from a census worker at your home or apartment. Our goal is 100%
participation in Indiana and your cooperation over the next several weeks is certainly
appreciated.
Door-to-door census counts "by the numbers":
957 million - Approximate number of total miles census takers will travel to obtain
responses during door- to-door follow-up. This includes having to make up to three
in-person visits if people are not at home.
48 million - Approximate number of housing units in door-to-door follow-up. This includes
people who did not receive a form at their household. This could be due to the Bureau not
having an address for the the physical location a residence, or a newly built home.
635,000 - Approximate number of positions hired for door-to-door follow-up phase in 2010.
72 - The number of years census records are kept confidential before being released for
genealogical research.
15 - The minimum age of household members who can fill out the census questionnaire or
respond to a census taker at the door.
6 - Maximum number of contacts with a household -- three in person and three by phone --
to obtain a complete census response.
For life - The length of time a census worker is sworn to protect the confidentiality of
census information.
5 and $250,000 - The maximum number of years in prison and the maximum amount of the fine
for a census worker who reveals personally identifiable information.
Be Wary of Potential Scams
Be mindful that criminals can use this opportunity to scam folks. In one common type of
scam, an individual identifying themselves as Census worker comes to your door asks for
payment for your participation in the Census. Please remember: a Census worker will never
ask for money and you are not required to pay anything to participate in the Census.
If you feel that the individual at your door may not be a US Census worker, ask to see his
or her official government badge, complete with name and a Department of Commerce
watermark. You should also ask for a second picture ID for confirmation. If you're
still not sure, there are phone numbers on the Census Web site to call to ensure that the
visit is legitimate.
Most importantly, if you're suspicious or don't feel safe, close the door and call
the Census Bureau to determine if the visit was fraudulent or not.
The Census Bureau will never:
a.. Ask for your full social security number
b.. Ask for money or a donation
c.. Send requests on behalf of a political party
d.. Request PIN codes, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks
or other financial accounts.
If you have any questions about the 2010 Census, please feel free to contact me at
h72(a)in.gov.
Sincerely,
Rep. Ed Clere