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U.S. Transportation Department Warns Members of Scam Faxes
 NAHB members who are current or potential contractors with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) should beware of fraudulent faxes that could lead to identity theft and that ostensibly are being sent to them by DOT.
The faxes, which are not from DOT but appear with a DOT letterhead, request bank account information on an “Authorization to Release Financial Information” form. They also are signed by someone claiming to be a “Senior Procurement Officer” at DOT.
The DOT Inspector General cautions that anyone who receives a fraudulent fax should not respond. DOT does not request financial information from prospective contractors wishing to submit a bid proposal or quote.
In addition, any direct communication from DOT will always be accompanied with detailed contact information, and DOT procurement representatives will only request financial information in reference to specific contracts awarded.
DOT reports that the identity theft scheme typically is being conducted by someone outside the country and has been recurring with DOT current and potential contractors for several years. NAHB members who are diversifying their business and bidding on DOT projects have recently been targeted by this scheme.
Kelly Duhaime, EO for the Bay County Home Builders Association in Bay City, Mich., said that several members of the HBA were sent fraudulent faxes requesting sensitive financial information within the last 30 days, but they did not respond.
For more information, DOT is posting information on these fraudulent letters at www.dot.gov/ost/m60/fraudulent_letters.htm.
For questions concerning DOT procurement, call the Office of the Senior Procurement Executive at 202-366–4263.
To report a fraudulent request for information, call the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at 800-424–9071, or log onto the OIG Hotline at www.oig.dot.gov/Hotline. The OIG may also provide the reported information to the U.S. Secret Service office in Washington, D.C.
For more information, e-mail David Crump at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8491.
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