CBS interviewers on your doorstep: how to recognise them

A CBS interviewer visits people who have not been able to complete the survey online.
© Sjoerd van der Hucht Fotografie / My Eyes4u productions
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) is the only official statistics institute in the Netherlands. For some of our studies, CBS interviewers may visit your home. CBS will always send you an invitation letter in advance before we call round, clearly stating that an interviewer will be coming. CBS interviewers will never ask you to prove your identity or for fingerprints or facial recognition scans.
CBS collects data on a wide range of subjects in order to produce statistics based on reliable data. These statistics provide a clear picture of Dutch society and help policymakers make well-informed decisions. It is important that as many people as possible take part in our surveys. One of the ways in which we conduct interviews is by visiting people at home.

What you can expect if a CBS interviewer visits you

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) will never show up on your doorstep unannounced. We will always send a written notification in advance. You will receive an official invitation letter explaining which survey we are conducting and how you can take part. If we do not receive any answer to our letters or phone calls, a CBS interviewer may come to visit your home. If nobody is home when we call round, the interviewer will leave a card in your letter box. This card will let you know that a CBS interviewer has visited you, and provides contact details to help you schedule an interview at a more convenient time.

How to recognise a CBS interviewer

CBS interviewers are always clearly identifiable. They will show an official CBS badge that includes their name, photo and employee number. The interviewer will also carry informational material on CBS explaining the purpose of the study and what is expected of you. During these visits, our staff will never ask you to prove your identity or for your fingerprints or facial recognition scans.

Your safety and privacy are our priority

At CBS, the safety, privacy, and comfort of both interviewees and interviewers are our highest priority. Our interviewers undergo special training and follow clear safety guidelines to ensure that your participation is always completely voluntary. If you have any questions about privacy or data protection, please visit https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb.

What to do if you are unsure

If you are unsure whether the person visiting you really is a CBS employee, you can always check with us by calling our Contact Centre during office hours:
Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00 on 045 570 64 00.

Please make a note of the employee number on the interviewer's badge, so that our staff can confirm their identity. If the interviewer arrives after 17:00, you can ask to reschedule the visit for a time when you are able to check their identity.

We appreciate your participation and your confidence in Statistics Netherlands. Together, we help ensure that the statistics we produce reflect the lives of people in the Netherlands accurately.

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