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Please distribute.<br>
thx - <br><br>
Patti:<br>
<br>
Please forward this to all CEDs and Department Heads. <br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
Ed<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>From:</b> Conway, Nancy - RD, Phoenix, AZ
[<a href="mailto:Nancy.Conway@az.usda.gov" eudora="autourl">
mailto:Nancy.Conway@az.usda.gov</a>] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 19, 2012 8:04 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Anita Landy; Berge, John - OSEC; Brett Cameron; Dawe,
Christine -FS; Denton, Charles J -FS; Donald Butler; Levitt, Jerald L -
APHIS; Martin, Ed; Monica Pastor; Piceno, Robert - FSA, Phoenix, AZ;
Russell, Gary W - APHIS; Stephens, Alan - RD, Phoenix, AZ; Manheimer,
Steven - NASS; Tatem, Keisha - NRCS, Phoenix, AZ; Troncoso, Ana - NRCS,
Phoenix, AZ; Troth<br>
<b>Subject:</b> FRAUDULENT LETTER ALERT - Please read....<br>
<b>Importance:</b> High<br>
<br>
<b>Subject</b>: FRAUDULENT LETTER ALERT - Please read.... <br>
<br>
All – please see attached. The body of the news release
states:<br>
<br>
“USDA officials learned late Friday afternoon, March 16th, 2012, that
fraudulent letters are being sent by FAX to individuals and businesses in
at least four states. The letters purportedly come from a USDA
procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters
are false and in no case should a recipient respond with personal and
financial information. The fraudulent letters bear USDA’s logo and seal
and are signed by an individual identified as “Frank Rutenberg” using
a title of “Senior Procurement Officer”. Letters have been received
by FAX in Alabama, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but may have
also been sent to other states. Recipients should not respond and should
not supply the requested information. USDA is investigating this matter
through the Office of the Inspector General.”<br>
<br>
RD State Directors, please share with the entire SFAC in your
state. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>John Berge<br>
Executive Director, National Food and Agriculture Council (NFAC)<br>
U.S. Department of Agriculture<br>
308-632-2195 ext. 1134 (desk)<br>
202-256-0869 (cell)<br>
</b> <br><br>
<br><br>
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