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What is behind the US Census Questions on Banking?
Last week, while at my cousins house, she was visited by a lady from the US Census Bureau about some 16 month survey that her house is now part of. After the usual spying on people --- the lady said that the FDIC paid for the the next set of questions, then some nonsense about confidentiality. The questions asked if the interviewees had a saving or checking account. If they ever cashed a check at a store or kiosk (Walgreen or Walmart). Every purchased a Money Order. Ever sent money overseas by a Money Order. Ever pawned anything or took a payday load. Most my cousin answered NO. But what were they looking for? Are they seeking people who are using cash to do transaction without a bank record or are sending money oversees to be converted to gold? Will the people who answer yes, be arrested?
Shortgil: The fact that the census worker, with badge and laptop came to my cousin home seems to denote that the FDIC is doing this data collection again. You did give a well researched answer. I cynically think, that the FDIC and other agencies in the Obama government are seeking to monitor the use of Cash more closely. I also except Obama to issue or reissue FDR anti gold ownership EO within the next several months and he will amended that EO to forbid the owning of silver and Platinum ingots or coins. We are in a critical monetary failure.
3 Answers
- shortgillyLv 710 years agoFavorite Answer
The FDIC sponsored a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2009. The purpose was to understand banking habits and develop programs for people that are being under-served by the financial community. The Census Bureau uses high confidentiality standards and is not permitted (by law) to share personalized data with any other agency. None of these questions ask about illegal behavior, so there's nothing one could be arrested for.
This program was completed. To the best of my knowledge there's no new one being conducted. If the census taker just showed up a few weeks ago, there's a chance cousin was being scammed. I'd suggest calling the Census Bureau to confirm before giving out any information.
Source(s): http://www.fdic.gov/householdsurvey/ - 10 years ago
I am not certain what is going on. In theory the Census Bureau is restricted from sharing personal data with other agencies, but with the loopholes in the HIPAA for police access to medical files. With the FBI and others getting access to your Financial records legally under FCRA and all the disclosures under ObamaCare and Dodd-Frank, I doubt if anyone should trust anyone from the government.
Asking question about buying PO (assuming the use of CASH) and sending Cash to a foreign country, the gov't may think you are hiding money (which it thinks is theirs) not in the USA. No citizen has the time to ferret out all the traps in Federal Regulation which allow data sharing. Heck, the State Department release reams of data and no one will be punished despite all the lip service to the contrary. The media does not explain why people from the census bureau are collecting data this year. I would tell your cousin to just tell the census taker that if the survey is voluntary then you refuse. If they offer you money, still refuse since they will ask more questions of you under the pretext of paying you. As the Rabbi said in Fiddler on the Roof about a Prayer for the Czar is fitting for the US Government: May the Lord Bless and Kept the Government FAR AWAY FROM US.
Note: In Shortgil's link --- these data will be used by policy makers to improve banking --- Does anyone actually want the government more involved with banking after the last 3 years? It cause overbuilding of the housing market. I allowed Freddy and Fanny to make billions for it friends and then go bankrupt leaving the American taxpayer holding the bag. It is seeking to outlaw the use of Cash because it is relatively anonymous in usage. Remember they are so worried about people buying gold and silver coins that they sought to bankrupt small coin shops with 1099 paperwork requirements.
- ?Lv 410 years ago
Do not know. However the FDIC is in trouble especially with the number of banks going under, so they may seek to get more power.
It is up to you. Do you trust the government or do you not.
Do you believe the government can keep a secret? Or Not.
No, one can answer those questions, except you.