The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is aware of fraudulent emails impersonating DAS officials and procurement employees. Some messages use a real employee’s name and reference a real State contract. Others impersonate Commissioner Michelle Gilman and ask school districts to review a “DAS business proposal.” These messages are scams.
One reported email came from an @das-ct.us address and requested a “refundable” payment to remain on a contract. That is not a State of Connecticut email address. Official State email addresses end in ct.gov. DAS will never demand payment to keep a vendor on an existing contract, and DAS does not send “business proposals” to school districts for review.
Some legitimate fees, such as construction contractor prequalification application fees, are charged during the application process. Fees are never charged during or after a contract award to maintain a vendor’s status.
If you receive a suspicious message:
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Do not reply, click links, open attachments, or send payment.
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Check the sender’s full email address, even if the display name looks familiar.
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Verify the request using contact information you already have. Vendors can also find their contract administrator’s contact information on the CTsource Contract Board. Do not use contact information supplied in the suspicious email.
Please share this alert with colleagues who communicate with DAS about contracts or school projects.
