Buyer Beware!

When a company registers in the System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov), their contact information becomes available to the public. While that is great for a business looking to attract the eye of a contracting officer or potential prime contracting partner, it can also lead to exposure to entities who may not be so scrupulous. Once a company begins registration in a government database, they may receive text messages or emails that look like they come from the government – but are really designed to sell assistance services!

We have received reports of PTAC clients getting messages like these:

Text messages that read:

• Your SAM.gov registration has been received. Click here to confirm your registration – or –
• Your SAM registration has been received. Click here for the next steps (the links take them to sign up for services).

Email messages from addresses that look legitimate (sbahelpdesk.org; gsahelpdesk.org), contain agency logos, and sound like agency/system notices, ie:

• Your SAM profile update has been received as of today and is currently under review. Contact a Case Manager now to confirm your profile details immediately.
• Your SAM.gov profile has been received and is in processing. To help expedite the process, call a Case Manager now to confirm your profile details at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
• I received your Vendor Profile that you submitted to become registered for disaster contracts . Please call me @ xxx-xxx-xxxx. I have a couple of questions to ask you before this can be finalized.

Existing SAM profiles may also receive ominous texts and email regarding expiring profiles and corrective actions.

Be on the look-out for such campaigns!  The government does not text and does not have “Case Managers” that follow up or confirm their registrations. Check with us for a second opinion if you receive any suspicious communications.Remember, your SAM profile and updates are always free of charge!