I would like to share this message from Council President Joe Perry as he provides some updates and warns against potential scams and fraud schemes during the coronavirus pandemic
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud and phishing.
Grants: SBA does not initiate contact on either 7a or disaster loans or grants. If you are proactively contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud.
Loans: If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of an SBA loan, but requires any payment up front or offers a high interest bridge loan in the interim, suspect fraud. SBA limits the fees a broker can charge a borrower to 3 percent for loans $50,000 or less and 2 percent for loans $50,000 to $1,000,000 with an additional ¼ percent on amounts over $1,000,000. Any attempt to charge more than these fees is inappropriate. If you have a question about getting a SBA disaster loan, call (800) 659-2955 or send an email to www.disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. If you have questions about other SBA lending products, call SBA’s Answer Desk at (800) 827-5722 or send an email to www.answerdesk@sba.gov.
Phishing: If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for personally identifiable information (PII), ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with the actual application number. Look out for phishing attacks/scams utilizing the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain your PII, to obtain personal banking access or to install ransomware/malware on your computer. Any email communication from SBA will come from accounts ending with www.sba.gov. The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not guarantee the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA. Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at www.sba.gov.
Please report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at (800) 767-0385 or online at www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/office-inspector-general/office-inspector-general-hotline.
Communication is important. I urge you all to please follow the township’s Facebook page and our website at www.TownshipNJ.com. Township Council, the Washington Township Police Department and I would like to thank all Washington Township residents for the many kind and thankful outreach phone calls to our offices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your many messages have been inspirational and thoughtful and we thank you for taking the time to reach out to us. Please check on your neighbors, especially if they are alone or elderly and support our local businesses. Stay safe and we will get through this together.
Joann Gattinelli is the Mayor of Washington Township. She can be reached at mayorgattinelli@twp.washington.nj.us.
