Small Business Scam Alert Issued by SBA

Small Business Scam Alert Issued by SBA
Thursday February 26, 2009
By Randy Duermyer, About.com Guide to Home Business

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a scam alert to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order that they may qualify for federal tax rebates.

The scam letters were sent out with an SBA letterhead or facsimile to small businesses across the country. The phony letters told recipients that the SBA is assessing their eligibility for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act. In order to determine if the recipient is eligible for a rebate, the letters ask the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number.

These letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are strongly advised not to respond to them.

What to Do if You Receive this Scam Letter
The SBA is working with the SBA Office of Inspector General (OIG). The Office of Inspector General asks that anyone who receives such a letter report it to the OIG Fraud Line at 1 (800) 767-0385, or by e-mail to OIGHotline@sba.gov.
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