If your organization has recently registered or renewed its profile in SAM.gov, you may notice something unsettling shortly afterward: a sudden flood of emails claiming to be from government agencies, compliance offices, or “federal support services.”

You’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone.

In this article, we’ll help you learn how to recognize a scam message, how to avoid scams, and other ways to protect yourself and your nonprofit from scammers impersonating government entities. 

What is SAM registration?

SAM stands for System for Award Management. Annual registration with the U.S. federal government’s SAM is a required step for organizations to be eligible to receive federal contracts or grants.

Why does registering with SAM.gov Trigger Scams?

SAM.gov registrations are publicly searchable, which makes those who have recently registered or renewed easy targets for scammers. Bad actors routinely monitor the system for new listings and then launch email (and sometimes phone) campaigns aimed at creating urgency, confusion, and fear—often around compliance or payment requirements.

Elevate sees this happen regularly with our nonprofit clients, and the volume and sophistication of these scams has increased significantly in recent years.

How can I tell the difference between a scam and a credible message from SAM.gov?

While many scam messages are fairly obvious, others have become increasingly convincing. Here’s what to watch for:

1. Requests for Payment
SAM.gov registration and renewal are always free. No legitimate government entity will ask you to pay a fee to maintain your registration, expedite processing, or “avoid suspension.” If an email asks for money—stop right there!

2. Suspicious Email Addresses
Most scams come from .com or oddly structured email domains that are clearly fraudulent. However, newer scams may spoof .gov email addresses, so don’t rely on the sender name alone. Always look closely at the full email address and domain. If you’re unsure, search the email address online to see if it appears on an official government website… or if others have reported it as a scam attempt.

3. Urgent or Threatening Language
Messages that say things like “Immediate action required”, “Your registration will be terminated”, or “Final notice” are designed to pressure you into acting quickly without verifying details. This is not the language used in a credible email.

4. Unsubscribe Links or Sales-Style Language
Legitimate government communications regarding SAM registration do not include unsubscribe buttons, marketing language, or promotional offers.

5. Phone Numbers You’re Told to Call
Scam emails sometimes include a “help desk” number, or links to click for assistance. Never click on links in suspicious emails, and always verify the validity of phone numbers before you call. Visit the official government website directly to confirm contact information and where to go for assistance.

How can I avoid scams after registering for SAM.gov?

If your organization has recently completed a SAM.gov registration or renewal, here are best practices the team at Elevate recommends to of our nonprofit partners:

1. Do not click links or attachments in unsolicited emails. Federal government agencies will almost always instruct you to login to your official account to view a message or complete an action, rather than providing you with a link.
2. Never provide payment or banking information in response to an email.
3. Verify information independently by navigating directly to SAM.gov in your browser. (Again, do not click links!)
4. Forward suspicious messages to your organization’s IT security team for review.
5. Expect an increase in scam attempts for several weeks after SAM registration.

We also recommend informing other members of your staff—especially finance and executive team members—that scam activity tends to spike after SAM.gov activity. Copy and paste these tips to share with them, or send them a link to this article!

A Growing Problem That Requires Awareness

What’s particularly concerning is that these scams are becoming more sophisticated. Some scammers effectively spoof official-looking email addresses and use language that closely mimics real government communications. Even experienced administrators can momentarily second-guess themselves—and that’s exactly what scammers are counting on.

Adding to the confusion, SAM.gov is not the only system being impersonated. After completing a SAM.gov registration, organizations may also receive scam messages claiming to come from other federal platforms, such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) or the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP). Since ASAP is directly tied to federal grant disbursements, these scams are especially concerning. Messages impersonating ASAP are often designed to trick recipients into providing banking credentials or login information, which could give scammers access to organizational funds.

The same rules outlined in this article apply to emails involving the SBA or ASAP: legitimate government systems will not ask for payment, banking details, or login credentials via email—and they will not pressure you to act immediately. If you’re concerned, go directly to the official government website for information or updates.

Finally, if you become aware of frauds or scams, you can notify the Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) via the OIG Hotline Online Complaint Form or by phone at 1-800-359-3898 (toll free).

The good news? With a little advance warning and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can protect yourself and your organization from these types of scams.

About the Author:

Sarah Wilby

Supervising Director