Protect yourself from scams and fraud

SBA only communicates from email addresses ending in @sba.gov. If you are being contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA who is not using an official SBA email address, you should suspect fraud.

• If you live in a declared disaster area and have experienced damage to your home or personal property, you may be eligible for financial assistance from SBA — even if you do not own a business. As a homeowner, renter, or personal property owner, you may apply to SBA for a loan to help you recover from a disaster.
• If you own a business located in a declared disaster area that has experienced damage, you may be eligible for financial assistance from SBA. Businesses of any size and most private non-profit organizations may apply to SBA for a loan to recover after a disaster.
• Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area, and which have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
• These loans cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources. Proceeds from insurance coverage on home or property may be deducted from the eligible loan amount.
• Secondary homes or vacation properties are not eligible for these loans. However, qualified rental properties may be eligible for assistance under SBA's Business Physical Disaster Loan program.
• Home disaster loan funds may not be used to upgrade homes or make additions, unless required by the local building code.
• Business Disaster Loan Funds may not be used to upgrade or expand a business, except as required by building codes.
• You may be eligible for up to a 20% loan amount increase above the real estate damage, as verified by SBA, for improvements that will help prevent risk of future property damage.
• SBA can refinance all or part of a previous mortgage in some cases when the applicant does not have credit available elsewhere and has suffered substantial disaster damage.
• If you have a question about getting an SBA disaster loan, call 800-659-2955 or send an email. to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
• If you have questions about other SBA lending products, call SBA’s Answer Desk at 1-800-827-5722 or send an email to answerdesk@sba.gov
• Apply online for a disaster loan via the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov. It is recommended for applicants/borrowers to communicate with SBA directly through the messaging feature in the MySBA Loan Portal.

• 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.
• 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.
• The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not guarantee that the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA. Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at www.sba.gov.
• Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.
• SBA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections, or help in filling out applications.
• Stay aware of common scams by visiting the Federal Trade Commission website on Avoiding and Reporting Scams, Scams | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov).
• If you suspect identity theft related to SBA programs visit Reporting identity theft | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov) and www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft.

Report fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of federal funds involving SBA programs, operations, or personnel to the SBA OIG Hotline. Information collected through the Hotline helps keep the SBA OIG aware of risks and trends that affect the SBA’s programs.

• Scams and Fraud One Pager - SBA OIG Disaster Loan Fact Sheet (Updated November 2024)