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GSA reports coronavirus-related fraud and price gouging

The General Services Administration (GSA) says it has received reports of companies fraudulently claiming to be GSA vendors attempting to exploit legitimate COVID-19 concerns to mislead Federal consumers into paying exorbitant prices for products associated with COVID-19. 

If a supplier claims to be a GSA vendor, GSA advises buyers to verify their status by checking prices and details on GSA Advantage or validate the contract number and supplier details on GSA eLibrary vendor database.

In a bulletin posted on March 19, 2020, GSA advises: “Even if information seems credible, take a moment to verify.”

In addition to worries about possible scams, there are product availability issues.  Evidence of this is the recent message posted on the GSA Advantage website: “Due to current heightened demand for products which could be associated with COVID-19, please contact the vendor(s) prior to placing your order to confirm availability.”

Questions or reports of suspect fraudulent activity or price gouging with companies claiming to be GSA vendors, can be directed to GSA’s National Customer Service Center at (800) 488-3111 or via email to NCSCcustomer.service@gsa.gov.

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Scam targets GSA schedule holders using spoofed federal email addresses

The General Services Administration’s schedules program has been victimized by spear phishing attacks costing vendors more than $1.5 million, and law enforcement officials say, is increasing.

GSA alerted Schedule 70 and 75 vendors Wednesday that since July 2012 the FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency and GSA inspectors general have been investigating a series of fraudulent orders placed online to GSA vendors from criminals posing as federal contracting officials, according to an email to Schedule-70 and 75 vendors, which Federal News Radio obtained.

The hackers ordered HP printer toner cartridges using official federal employee email credentials but fake phone telephone numbers and stolen credit cards.

Law enforcement officials now say scammers are targeting orders for laptop computers, though it’s unclear if these two cases are related. But GSA said “there are some significant similarities and we’re following up on investigative leads to make further determinations.”

Keep reading this article at: http://www.federalnewsradio.com/490/3595717/Scam-targets-GSA-schedule-holders-using-spoofed-federal-email-addresses 

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