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USDA PACA alerts produce sellers to fraud

- General News
The USDA Agricultural Market Service’s Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Division (PACA) has received information that various entities and individuals may be falsely representing themselves as current PACA licensees and legitimate purchasers in the industry – ordering produce, arranging its pick-up and transport, and not paying for that produce.

Blue Book Trading Alert: Impersonation fraud rising

- Featured
Blue Book has received reports of unauthorized individuals impersonating buyer companies to purchase product. These impersonators have initiated communication via email, but methods may evolve.

ZAG warns ag businesses of latest email phishing schemes

- General News
ZAG Technical Services is alerting agriculture businesses to a rise in sophisticated phishing schemes aimed at compromising email accounts and gaining access to sensitive information. As these threats become more prevalent, it is crucial for companies to stay vigilant and adopt best practices to protect themselves.

Impersonation fraud rising in the produce industry

- Analysis
Impersonation fraud has already been in the produce industry, but now we’re getting more reports from members who share their victim experiences to get the word out so others won’t fall prey to the same fraudulent acts.

AMS issues OIG guidance for vendors to avoid scams

- General News
The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has become aware of a scam involving disguised or “spoofed” email addresses.

The Produce Reporter Week in Review – January 5, 2024

- Analysis
Pamela calls in from Bavaria, where she checks out the retail trends in Europe. News slows down around the holidays but Greg says a federal indictment for produce inspection fraud spiced things up.

Green Life Farms terminates representative indicted on fraud charges

- General News
Green Life Farms, in a statement, says it “had no knowledge of, involvement in, or benefit received from the activities of which Pirello is accused and is deeply troubled by the charges.”

USDA warns food purchase program vendors of fraudulent phishing emails

- General News
USDA is warning vendors who wish to participate in USDA food purchase programs of a possible phishing scheme using fraudulent email messages.

Seller beware – fraud is on the rise

- Featured
Cautiously investigate an unknown buyer asking for credit.

Trade Alert – Suspicious trading activity observed

- Featured
Information assessed by Blue Book Services supports serving notice of observed suspicious trading activity occurrences.