The Better Business Bureau in Central California is warning construction companies to be wary of a scam using a fake letter from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The faxed letter, printed on what appears to be authentic department of transportation stationary, claims to be from a senior procurement officer and requests that the company must provide financial information before it can be considered for bids.

One central California company fell victim to the scam but realized its mistake before the scammers could complete an $18,676 wire transfer of the company’s funds to a foreign bank account.

The BBB urges anyone who receives a fraudulent letter from the department of transportation to contact the federal Office of the Inspector General hot line at 1-800-424-9071.