Phishing scams can pop up anywhere, as evidenced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General’s recent alert regarding fraudulent Notice of Violation letters (NOVs).
According to the EPA, fraudulent NOVs have been sent by a fraudster through mail and email. The fake NOVs allege violations of environmental laws and include a demand for thousands of dollars in fines. The fraudulent NOVs request the addressee respond by phone or email. The email address provided is invoice@epa.services, which is not affiliated with the EPA. The EPA notes that official U.S. government organizations use the .gov domain name.
If you are concerned about the validity of an NOV, you should consult your legal counsel. You can also contact the EPA’s enforcement office at OECA_Communications@epa.gov with a copy of the NOV received.
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, you may report it to the EPA OIG Hotline by completing the online complaint form, emailing OIG.Hotline@epa.gov, or calling (888) 546-8740.