ALERT: Fraudulent Emails Purporting To Be From Finance Commission of Texas Involving Fictitious Invitation to Bid

April 5, 2018

The Finance Commission of Texas (Commission) has become aware of fraudulent emails purporting to be an invitation to bid on computer peripherals and audio-visual equipment. The bogus solicitation is styled as “FINANCE COMMISSION OF TEXAS - Invitation to Bid” with contact information being “Charles Cooper: Banking Commissioner & Procurement Officer”. The fictitious bid specifically seeks vendors who specialize in 3D printers.

The invitation for bid is fraudulent and is considered a phishing scam. Phishing is a scam typically carried out through unsolicited email and/or websites that pose as legitimate sites and lure unsuspecting victims to provide personal and financial information. Recipients should consider these types of emails as an attempt to collect personal or confidential information and to fraudulently obtain funds.

Consumers and business owners are encouraged to review all correspondence carefully to ensure they are familiar with the sender. Recipients of this email should notify the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Constituent Affairs Division, at 800-252-8011