Fraud Alert: Identity Theft Scheme

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Fraud Letter Warning

Recently, many contractors have received a faxed letter that is part of a recurring identity theft scheme asking recipients to provide bank account information on an “Authorization to Release Financial Information” form. The letter is typically signed by someone claiming to be a “Senior Procurement Officer” at DOT and appears on U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) letterhead containing a Washington, D.C. address, but little other identifying information. Information on this recurring scam and an example of these fraudulent letters can be seen below.

THIS IS A FRAUDULENT REQUEST–DO NOT RESPOND.

Any direct communication from DOT should always be accompanied with detailed contact information. In addition, DOT procurement representatives will only request financial information in reference to specific contracts awarded. DOT does not request financial information from prospective contractors wishing to submit a bid proposal or quote.

If you have questions about a DOT request regarding procurement, please contact the Office of the Senior Procurement Executive at (202) 366–4263 or the office of procurement for any of the individual DOT operating administrations. If you would like to report a fraudulent request for information to DOT, please contact the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline here, or by calling (800) 424–9071. The OIG may also provide your information to the U.S. Secret Service office in DC.

If you have already responded to such a request, please notify your financial institution immediately and contact the OIG Hotline. We also encourage you to contact your local law enforcement agency and your regional U.S. Secret Service office. Because these types of identity theft scams are often conducted from outside the United States of America, it may be extremely difficult to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. If you think you have been a victim of identity theft, you may want to review the Secret Service’s tips for victims of fraud.

There has been another round of fraudulent letters issued to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) contractors and potential contractors purporting to be issued by DOT.  These fraudulent letters request that current or potential contractors register by submitting their company's financial information on a release form entitled, "Authorization to release financial information".  Please be aware that DOT does not require any financial information to be submitted in order to be eligible for procurement.

Following is a list of fraudulent letters which have been faxed out to current or potential contractors:

  • October 29, 2014, signed by "Douglas Geiger"
  • October 10, 2014, signed by "Douglas Geiger"
  • October 2, 2014, signed by "Douglas Geiger"
  • October 1, 2014, signed by "Douglas Geiger"
  • July 10, 2014, signed by "Thad Brown"
  • April 17, 2014, signed by "Janice Duncan"
  • April 15, 2014, signed by "Janice Duncan"
  • April 11, 2014, signed by "Ralph Schmidt"
  • April 10, 2014, signed by "Ralph Schmidt"
  • December 6, 2013, signed by "Louis James"
  • November 19, 2013, signed by "Louis James"
  • October 29, 2013, signed by "Ralph Schmidt"
  • July 10, 2013, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • May 15, 2013, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • May 7, 2013, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • March 18, 2013, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • March 12, 2013, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • January 14, 2013, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • January 7, 2013, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • December 18, 2012, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • December 10, 2012, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • November 7, 2012, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • November 1, 2012, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • September 24, 2012, signed by "Julie Weynel"
  • June 25, 2012, Equifax letter signed by "James Stanley"
  • March 16, 2012, signed by "Julie P. Weynel"'
  • August 29, 2011, signed by "Robert Mendez"
  • February 7, 2011, signed by "David Hoffman"
  • February 3, 2011 signed by "Julie P. Weynel"
  • January 19, 2011, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
  • June 7, 2010, signed by "Julie P. Weynel"
  • April 19, 2010, signed by "Julie P. Weynol"
  • April 1, 2009, signed by "Jason Wallace"
  • February 17, 2009, signed by "Joshua Greenberg"
  • January 27, 2009, signed by "John Steinberg"
  • December 19, 2008, signed by "Jeffrey Steinberg"
  • December 8, 2008, signed by "Jennifer Stewart"
  • October 20, 2008, signed by "Jennifer Donaldson"
  • September 5, 2008, signed by "David Jacobson"
  • June 4, 2008, signed by "James Buchanan"
  • June 3, 2008, signed by "Robert Dal"
  • April 28, 2008, signed by "Bradley K. Wash"
  • April 1, 2008, signed by "Bradley K. Wash"
  • February 7, March 3, March 31, 2008, signed by "Bradley K. Wash"
  • January 28, 2008, signed by "Julie P. Weynel"
  • October 21, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
  • October 12, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
  • September 10, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
  • August 27 and 28, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
  • July 11, 12, and 20, 2007, signed by "George Mason"
  • May 10, 2007, signed by "Jason Scarlett"
  • March 26, 2007, signed by "Jason Scarlett"
  • February 26, 2007, signed by "Lisa Johnson"
  • November 8, 2006, signed by "Lisa Johnson"
  • July 28, 2006, signed by "Dan Jacobs"
  • April 27, 2006, signed by "Dan Jacobs"
  • February 8, 2006, signed by "Randy Cohen"
  • December 29, 2005, signed by "Frank M. Orell"

All letters were signed as the Senior Procurement Officer.

Please DO NOT complete the release form which is attached to the letter and DO NOT release any information to the facsimile number cited in the letter.  Click here for an example of these letters being sent out to contracting personnel.

The point of contact concerning these fraudulent letters is the Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-424-9071.