WASHINGTON, D.C. The US Department of Agriculture is warning contractors about a fax scam seen in at least four states, and possibly more.

Officials said individuals and firms that do business with USDA and the Forest Service have received faxed letters seeking personal and financial information.

The letters purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer, using the name Frank Rutenberg, but are phony.

People are warned not to respond to the letters.

So far the scam has been reported in Alabama, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but letters also may have been sent to other states.

The USDA is investigating the scam through the Office of the Inspector General.