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FRAUD ALERT: Fake Letters from USDA Hitting Some Mailboxes

November 10, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

USDA has been made aware of a fraudulent letter being sent to some farmers requesting information about recipients.

According to a recent notice by USDA FSA, the letters are from a fictitious USDA employee “Frank Rutenberg.” There is no Frank Rutenberg, the letters are fraudulent and if you receive such a letter do not respond.

As always, if you receive a suspicious letter via the postal service or email or other online communication or phone call from someone claiming to be from a government agency or business and they ask you for personal or business information, contact the relevant agency or business on your own and verify the sender’s or caller’s intent. In most cases, legitimate requests for personal or other information will not be made via “cold” calls or unexpected mail or online communications.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Frank Rutenberg, Fraud

Through USDA, Obama Administration fights fraud in SNAP

August 13, 2012 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

USDA continues to crack down those who defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and announced several new strategies to improve the nation’s primary program that offers food assistance to the needy.

SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, is delivered in Ohio through the “Direction Card,” managed by the Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services.

The new tools in fraud fighters toolbox are primarily aimed at retailers and online fraud.

“USDA has a zero tolerance policy for SNAP fraud,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary. “These additional measures reaffirm our ongoing commitment to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended–helping millions of people in need get back on solid economic footing.”

The retailer sanctions proposal allows USDA to not only permanently disqualify a retailer who traffics, but also assess a monetary penalty in addition to the disqualification. Financial penalties would be proportional to the amount of SNAP business the store is conducting, which will help ensure that the financial punishment more closely fits the crime. Currently, when a retailer is found guilty of fraud or abuse, USDA can either disqualify the retailer from participating in SNAP, or issue a financial penalty, but not both.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Fraud, SNAP

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