ID Theft Scam Using USDOT Front Targets Small Businesses
CHAPARRAL, N.M. – Residents of southern New Mexico are the target of what appears to be an identity theft scheme set up by con artists.
Recently, the owner of the company, “Cable Vision” received a letter appearing to be from theU.S. Department of Transportation. In it, she is asked to submit personal and business information. Skeptical, she called federal officials and they confirm her concern; the letter is fake.
It looks official enough. It’s on what appears to be official letterhead from theU.S. Department of Transportation in Washington. But it’s the information requested by the letter that should raise some red flags.
The letter asksrecipients to write downbank name,account number and federal taxinformation. TheU.S. Department of Transportation tells ABC-7 anyone receiving a similar letter should contact the agency immediately.
It’s everything a crook would need to get intosomeone’s bank account and do some serious damage. It’s critical information thatno oneshould ever give out. “There are a lot of vulnerable businesses out there. They’ll see U.S. Department of Transportation, see that it’s government, and think it’s legit[imate]. That’s whyI think people would go for it, but don’t,” said Corky Groth of Chaparral CableVision.
The scam seems to target small businesses. It says if the information is not received, the business will miss out on lucrative federal contracts.
Ultimately, the U.S.Department of Transportationin Washingtonsaid, don’tgive out the information and notify the agency as soon as possible.
— Written for broadcast by Martin Bartlett
— Edited for the web by Miguel Martinez
