New Scam Targets Palm Springs Businesses

Palm Springs police warned residents today about an identity scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

A local business owner recently received an official-looking fax asking her to sign a letter and provide confidential banking information, according to Officer Rhonda Long of the Palm Springs Police Department.

The owner contacted the Department of Transportation and learned that the letter was a scam, Long said.

Other businesses have also received such a letter asking for bank information on an “Authorization to Release Financial Information” form. The letter is signed by someone claiming to be a senior procurement officer at the DOT.

Anyone with questions about a DOT request should call the Office of the Senior Procurement Executive at (202) 366-4263.