SAM.gov Is Free – Beware of Costly Registration Scams

Government contractors are seeing a rise in scams tied to the System for Award Management (SAM) as annual recertification deadlines approach. These schemes often use official-looking emails and links designed to trick contractors into paying unnecessary fees or disclosing sensitive information. Understanding how SAM.gov works is the best defense against these increasingly common fraud attempts.

Government contractors are required to register with SAM.gov to be eligible for federal contract and grant awards. SAM.gov’s annual recertification process requires registered contractors to actively monitor their platform profiles, resulting in a high volume of site traffic. Where traffic goes, opportunistic fraudsters follow, and SAM.gov is no exception. Government contractors must stay alert and stay ahead of platform-related scams that attempt to capitalize on their vigilance.

One common SAM.gov scam targets contractors whose annual recertification is coming due. In these scenarios, a contractor who has initiated the renewal process receives an official-looking email noting that registration is “pending” and directing the contractor to log in to the platform to complete a series of next steps. The email may originate from an unofficial email address that suggests an affiliation with the SAM system.

A nefarious radio button at the bottom of the email appears to lead to SAM.gov to complete the required steps. Instead, the button directs contractors to a page inviting them to pay for a one- or three-year registration, for various fees exceeding $1,500. The scam may then direct contractors to a fake Small Business Administration (SBA) web page that requires uploading sensitive information and paying additional money to register as a small business. The SBA has recognized this scam and posted a warning on its MySBA Certifications website.

Tips for Avoiding a SAM.gov Scam

When the U.S. Secret Service trains to identify counterfeit currency, it trains primarily on real bills. Knowing the real thing is the best defense against potential scams. Below are several reminders to help ensure you do not fall victim to a SAM.gov scam:

• Trust only what you find after logging into the official SAM.gov website under your own profile.
• All government emails and websites end in official domain names (.gov, .mil, etc.). No official government websites or emails end in .com.
• Contact government offices only using contact information found on official websites.
• SAM.gov registration is free. Do not pay anyone to register on your behalf.
• The SBA does not have a separate registration process from SAM.gov. If you seek certification under a socioeconomic status, such as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned or Women-Owned, you must submit those applications through the certifications.sba.gov portal.

Stay vigilant when it comes to internet traffic and follow your IT team’s guidance and best practices.

If you have questions about SAM.gov registration, annual recertification, or how to identify and avoid government contracting scams, contact the authors of this alert or any member of the Woods Rogers Construction and Government Contracting Practice Group.