SBA issues fraud alert

WASHINGTON — Fraudulent letters claiming to be from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) were received by small businesses throughout the country.

The SBA is warning people not to respond to the letters, which ask recipients for bank account information to possibly receive federal tax rebates.

The letters have not been approved by the SBA.

The letters appear to be like e-mail scams called “phishing,” which ask recipients for personal and banking data.

The SBA Office of Inspector General is investigating the case and asks anyone who received the letter to report it by calling 800-767-0385 or e-mail OIGHotline@sba.gov.

— Staff report