1 I know this much, since you pay for the minutes, commercial solicitation on a cell phone is federally prohibited. I don't know whether it's illegal for the feds to call you or not, though.... Cell phone numbers are supposed to be unlisted. Did he use his cell phone as a reference number on any government document? That's all I can think. Unless it IS harassment....

2 Earlier this year there was talk of creating a "Cellphone Directory" like the White-Pages. And since the Census people provide the best demographic information in the world, it's easy to understand how they would end up with a person's cell number. By using a person's name or social security number, it is easy (for gov't) to find a person's cell provider, ISP, address, phone, work address, or anything else wanted. Once the cell number is known, it requires a low cost program to carry it farther by tracking that person. This is all easy to do for a decently low cost.

3 I think something was passed where you can be solicited on your cell phone now, but there's a list you can sign up for taking your number out of the database. Don't quote me on that, but I remember hearing something about it in one of those crappy forward e-mails that people get all hiped over.

4 Sissy couldn't get this to post, so: Working for a "cell phone" com-pany, the answer is no, your number is not listed somewhere. UNLESS, you give it as a contact number. For exam-ple, I don't have a home number, I use my mobile phone for everything. So, I expect (unfortunately) to get these calls! BTW, The Cell phone Directory is optional. You have to call/go online and ask to be put in the directory. It's mostly for business people.

5 I'm especially curious why the census people are doing anything at all in the year 2005. The Constitution grants them the right to count heads every ten years. It has always been in years ending in zero. The last official census was in 2000. The next official census will be in 2010, five years from now. How sure is _Jon that these phone calls are actually from the federal government? (Ponytailed Conservative)

6 Oh, that fucking pushy bitch was from the FedGov. She visited 4 days in a row, had FedGov ID around her neck, and left a package of survey information. Yes, I have put my cell phone number down as contact info, but only with private businesses. Here's the real kicker, which I didn't want to post on the blog 'cause it's rather personal - the house she was stalking me at is a rental income property. I was there doing maintenance and collecting money. It is not my Federal address (e.g. where my income tax goes). I have a mortgage on it as an investment property, but I don't "officially" live there. Yet she was able to find and link my cell phone number to the house. I am certain that it is illegal for the FedGov to do data mining of consumer databases like that.

7 Don't underestimate the man...