The SBA and its Office of the Inspector General said it has received several complaints from small businesses about abusive marketing practices, scams, and exorbitant fees charged by firms offering to help them obtain a loan, grant, or other federal funds from the SBA.

Some of the complaints include firms charging small businesses high fees to provide assistance applying to SBA funding programs and guaranteeing funding if they paid the fees. The agency said it does not endorse or give preference to specific private companies or their clients.

Some firms have also charged small businesses for services never requested after the small business gave bank account and routing information to a caller claiming to be a firm offering assistance. The SBA said it recommends that small businesses never provide social security numbers, bank account information, or credit card numbers to anyone; and, never over the telephone.