SBA Scam Alert

The SBA is warning small businesses of an ongoing scam and urging them not to respond to letters asking for bank account information in order to qualify the businesses for federal tax rebates.

The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate. The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number.

The SBA is comparing the scheme to e-mail "phishing" schemes which seek personal data and financial account information that another party to access and individual’s bank accounts or to engage in identity theft.

SBA asks that anyone who receives the letter report it to the SBA Office of the Inspector General Fraud Line at 1 (800) 767-0385, or OIGHotline@sba.gov.