Encounter with gov't thug.

[automatic slim]

At about 8:30 PM tonight I was sitting at home watching the Untouchables when the phone rings. Figuring that no businesses conduct matters at that hour, I answered. The following conversation ensued.......

Me: Hello...

Thug: Sir, I'm calling about a survey.

Me: I'm not interested.

Thug: Sir, it's a mandatory survey.

Me: Mandatory? Who are you?

Thug: I'm with the census bureau and I'm calling because you never replied to the survey we sent you in the mail. Are you the man of the house?

Me: What address did you send the survey to?

Thug:(Gives address).

Me: That's not my address.

Thug: Is this XXX-XXXX (phone number)?

Me: Yes, but thats not my address. (Which is the truth)

Thug: What's your name sir?

Me: You don't need my name if that's not my address.

Thug: You don't live at XXXXXXXXXXXX?

Me: Not only do I not live there, I've never lived there! (Truth)

Thug: Have a good night sir.

Me: Yeah, right.

I know, more change I can believe in.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[NC Bullseye]

Man you screwed up.

You missed a chance to play "Let's see if we can make the feds head explode"

You should have told him you had 47 dependents and at least 2 were legal.
The "Home Armory" was finally finished.
The government supplied medicinal pot was too weak.
Come on over to the address he had and let's crack a mason jar of fresh brewed.

[stevem174]

I love getting calls like that!

[TerriLi]

Its times like that I play up being partial deaf like crazy. I would try and see if I can get the guy screaming his head off before say "Oh wrong house"

[DM2]

I could be wrong but that sounds like a scam to me. I've never known anyone to follow-up a survey with a phone call that when you never provided them the phone number and said it was okay to call you. In addition, I've never heard of a "mandatory" survey. That's crap. They didn't know your name, or your correct address either. That was definitely a scam. You didn't play nice so they could get the info they needed to scam your identity. Hopefully the next number on the list is a smart as you are.

[jumpwing]

That was definitely a scam.

Ding-ding-ding!

Winner!

[dnowell]

Yeah - that's just not something the census does. Definite scam attempt. They do everything by mail and some followup in person on a random basis.

[gottabkiddin]

Well done!

It is fun to mess with um though. My wife thinks I'm mean when I do it, but hey, they called me.

[ppkheat]

There is a National Do Not Call List and I guess most states have their own do not call list. So that's two places you can call and register. Of course some calls will still get through, though those two lists have definitely diminished the number of calls I get.

Don't forget you'll have to re-register with one or both agenices after a few years......your request likely will expire one day.

[grady]

Mandatory my ass.

I hope I get one of those calls. I have a few things I'd like to tell them.

You handled it well, more politely than I will.

[JT]

It’s definitely a scam, because the 2010 census hasn’t started yet. They won’t be mailed out until March 2010.

[JoJoGunn]

Mandatory?!? As if.

My mandatory answer would not be allowed to be posted here. You all feel free to use your imagination as to what my reply might be.

[drkangl6]

Man you screwed up.

You missed a chance to play "Let's see if we can make the feds head explode"

You should have told him you had 47 dependents and at least 2 were legal.
The "Home Armory" was finally finished.
The government supplied medicinal pot was too weak.
Come on over to the address he had and let's crack a mason jar of fresh brewed.

[Guns and more]

Wait until they're running health care and you get someone else's surgery.

[varob]

We have a standing policy not to give any personal info out over the phone when called.

So, I usually take this opportunity to have a little fun with them.