For years, the Better Business Bureau has tried to educate consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at the front door. As the 2010 U.S. Census process begins, the BBB is advising people to cooperate but carefully so as not to become the victim of a scam.

On April 6, the first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census began with 140,000 workers verifying addresses of every household in the country.

Over the next 18 months, 1.4 million U.S. Census workers will survey the population of the United States to gather important demographic information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, ethnic origin, birth date, marital status, employment status and other relevant data.

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U.S. citizens are required by law to respond to the U.S. Census Bureau’s requests for information. Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year and is used to determine a state’s number of congressional representatives.

During the Census, residents may receive a letter, telephone call or visit from a Census worker who will inquire about people living in your household. Unfortunately, you may also be contacted by scammers impersonating Census workers so they can get access to your banking and financial information.

Law enforcement officials in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census employees, asking for donations and Social Security numbers.

“Most people are cautious and will not give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, but the Census is an exception to the rule,” said Kim States, president of the BBB for Southern Arizona. “Scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and so they take advantage of this opportunity by posing as government workers to get access to your financial information.”