Test Census, Anyone?

[bluemoon]

We received a letter this morning which had Census 2011 emblazoned across the envelope and which contained a 'test' census. In other words it seems the government have decided to send out fake census forms almost two years early in order for them to make sure the questions they ask are clear and easy to understand before they commit to the final print. No-one else I know has received one. Is this because I'm special or because they think I'm particularly thick and therefore more likely to bodge the answers? And I wonder what will become of my answers. I've never heard of this before.

[zazen999]

Lets tick to the important stuff here.....

Is 'are you a Jedi' one of the questions?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Sounds fishy! I've just googled and nothing has come up - also on the office of national statistics.

Are there contact details on the form??

[quark1]

You 'could' be in a trial area for 'new and intrusive' questions - however - my suspicious mind would say that this is some kind of con to get info from you which possibly could be used to effect identity theft and the associated crimes of fraud etc?

Fraudsters are getting very good and passing themselves off as some kind of government or official body for which we 'ought' to have respect and obediently oblige with the info.

Quite frankly I've heard of things like sexual orientation, religion and other things which are none of anyone's business outside of the home being canvassed for. If I should get such a request I would tick as many boxes as are available in order to generate confusion. Some of the intrusion goes way beyond being able to cater for future needs for school places, medical provision etc and is downright intrusive.

Do ensure that if you are obliged to return your form that it is bona fide.

[bluemoon]

Yes, it's definitely the real thing there was a web address for information and it's a government one, also a free phone number, which I haven't phoned, but I might just to be doubly sure. It looks like they're picking addresses at random to get a reasonable cross-section. Typical that it's me, I'm the one who always gets things like jury service too.

[MaureenHall]

Is there a contact address or phone number so you can check if it's genuine? I'd ignore it if it was me until I found out more about it

[MaureenHall]

I posted just a second too late didn't I

[SarzWix]

Since doing some family tree research, I've been absolutely fascinated by census' - just imagine your descendants looking up what you said on it in 150 years or so... I've discovered the sister of my great-grandfather being described as "imbecile/simple-minded" on one census from the 1800's

[shoreham_steve]

I'd shred it and add it to my compost heap.
If anyone asks, tell them it must have got lost in our dreadful postal system.

[bluemoon]

I'd shred it and add it to my compost heap.
If anyone asks, tell them it must have got lost in our dreadful postal system.

Considered this... actually I'm still considering it, I can't find anything in the info which states that it is compulsory, which of course the census proper is. Nor can I find any information about what will happen to some of the quite sensitive information they're asking for.