Organization Warns of ID Fraud Scheme

Texas Nursery & Landscape Association has learned that an identify fraud scheme is targeting landscape firms in Texas and that it as reached as far as Ohio.

A firm receives a fax that says it is from the United States Department of Transportation and that the Department requires certain information in order to qualify the firm as a prospective contractor. A "financial information release form" is provided and the company is told they must fax the form in to qualify for contracts. This letter is not from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

If you have received such a letter you should immediately contact your bank.

The Secret Service recommends extreme caution in all financial disclose areas and recommends the following business practices:

• Keep a close eye on all reported activities in your bank account(s).
• Notify your bank that any additional lines of credit or wire transactions should be viewed with suspicion and must be directly cleared with your company's official agent.
• Never provide information that would give access to your bank accounts without fully confirming who is receiving that information.

Those who think they have been targeted should contact their local authorities.