The National Association of Rural Health Clinics and the Missouri Office of Rural Health and Primary Care want you to be aware of a scam targeting recipients of Rural Health Clinics (RHC) COVID-19 funding. For example, individuals are contacting RHCs posing as a government contractor informing them that they must pay a fee to maintain their SAM.gov account.
Although this particular scam is targeting a grant program, there are concerns that other individuals or organizations may create additional scams targeting other RHC COVID-19 relief funds.
Here are some things you can do to protect your organization. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact HRSA directly.
- If an individual claims to represent HRSA, SAM.gov, or Grants.gov, check that the email address contacting you is .gov.
- Grants.gov and SAM.gov will never contact you requesting money for any reason, including account activation or maintenance.
- You should always follow the official instructions related to reporting, drawing down funds, etc. on official .gov websites. These instructions or reporting requirements will not suddenly change.
- Because certain grant awardee information is public knowledge, scammers can more easily pose as legitimate program representatives, do not automatically trust that they are.
Thank you for all that you do and for your continued vigilance on this matter.