Scammers have been known to target Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID-Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) borrowers with phishing calls or emails impersonating a lender, collections agency or even the SBA. Take steps today to help keep yourself and your business safe from these scams.
Be on Guard: Recognize and Avoid Scams
- Got an email? Before you do anything else, check the sender. Official SBA emails will always come from addresses ending in @sba.gov. Be skeptical of any other sources.
- Watch out for emails misusing the SBA logo. These could be traps to get your personal details, access your bank accounts, or infect your devices with harmful software.
SBA Communication: What to Expect
- The SBA won't ask for personal information via third-party platforms.
- Phone calls and emails from the SBA are intended to inform you, not to ask for personal details. Follow-up actions will direct you to official SBA platforms.
- Remember, federal guidance is free. You'll never be charged by government employees for help to access federal services.
Tips to Stay Protected
- An SBA logo isn't a guarantee of authenticity. Verify the source of emails and check website URLs regularly.
- Protect your identity. Never share personal info like your social security number or address publicly or in response to suspicious emails or calls.
- Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources.
- When in doubt, don’t respond—reach out! Look up contact information from sba.gov or your lender and reach out to customer support directly.
Keep Your Information Safe
Treat your personal information as you would your savings—guard it closely. Always be vigilant. If you encounter a suspicious email claiming to be from the SBA, report it immediately to the Office of Inspector General’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at SBA Fraud Alert.
For more information on how to avoid scams, visit the SBA’s Scams and Fraud Alerts.
Need Help?
For questions about your PPP loan, use the PPP Direct Forgiveness Portal's "help" feature or call our service desk at 877- 552-2692.
If you have inquiries about the COVID-EIDL program, contact our COVID-EIDL Customer Service Center at 833-853-5638 (TTY:711) or send a secured message though the MySBA Loan Portal.
Together, we can keep our information safe and secure while navigating these critical assistance programs.