Small Business : Scammers have been known to target Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID-Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) borrowers with phishing calls or emails impersonating a lender, collection agency, or even the SBA. Take steps to help protect yourself and your business from these scams.
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Be on the lookout: Recognize and avoid scams
- Do you have an E-mail? Before doing anything else, check the sender. Emails from the Small Business Administration (SBA) will exclusively originate from email addresses that conclude with the domain @sba.gov. Be skeptical of any other sources.
- Be wary of e-mails misusing the SBA logo. These can be traps to get your personal information, gain access to your bank accounts, or infect your device with malicious software.
SBA Communications: What to Expect
- SBA will not request personal information through third party platforms.
- Phone calls and e-mails from SBA are intended to inform, not to solicit personal information. Subsequent measures will guide you to the official platforms of the Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Remember that federal counseling is free. Government employees will never charge you for help accessing federal services.
Tips to stay protected
- The SBA logo is not a guarantee of authenticity. Verify the email source and regularly check website URLs.
- Protect your identity. Never share personal information such as your social security number or address publicly, even in response to suspicious emails or calls.
- Avoid clicking on hyperlinks or opening attachments from unfamiliar sources.
- If in doubt, don’t react – reach out! Find contact information on sba.gov or your lender and contact customer support directly.
Keep your information safe
Treat your personal information like your savings – guard it carefully. Always be vigilant. If you come across a suspicious email claiming to be from the SBA, report it immediately to the Office of Inspector General hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at SBA Fraud Alert.
To obtain additional information on how to prevent fraudulent activities, please visit the Scams and Fraud Alerts section of the Small Business Administration (SBA) website.
