Recently the Federal Service Desk (FSD) has been receiving claims from the public that CFDA agents have contacted them claiming that in order for the recipient to claim federal grant money they must first send the CFDA agent personal information or money.Although the CFDA agent claims to be with the Community for Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) or a similarly named organization, and not the federally run Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), they do represent themselves as agents of CFDA.

CFDA does not use social media or direct phone contact to solicit, review, or make awards.

If you hear of anyone being contacted this way, please advise them to pass all information to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (www.ic3.gov) and their local law enforcement authorities. This can also be reported to the GSA Inspector General using their Fraud Line (1-800-424-5210), via e-mail fraudnet@gsaig.gov, or using the web form (http://www.gsaig.gov/index.cfm/hotline/-hotline-form/).

We have posted a notice to the FSD with a new FAQ and are also posting an alert to the CFDA homepage linking to the same FAQ:

Q – “What should I do if I receive unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be a CFDA representative?”

A – “The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program does not use social media or contact individuals by phone to solicit, review, or make awards. Additionally, no government staff will call or message you requesting money in order to be eligible for an award. Please report any information and documentation that you have related to this incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (www.ic3.gov) and your local law enforcement authorities.”