Safety Alert
BSEE Safety Alert 483 - Scam Alert-Suspicious Requests for Payment
BSEE Safety Alert 483 - Scam Alert-Suspicious Requests for Payment
- BSEE
- Safety Alert
- Safety Alert 483
- Security
- Security
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
BSEE warns of possible government impersonation scams seeking payment of fines. The alert distinguishes suspicious demands from genuine civil penalty procedures, explaining operator responsibility, prior notification and authorised payment channels. It also directs recipients of suspicious requests to BSEE’s Office of Public Affairs.
Classifications: Security; physical security; site security.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Summary
Warns of scams impersonating BSEE to demand payment of fines and explains how genuine civil penalty payments are actually handled.
Safety Alert 483. Themes: security.
SAFETY ALERT
Safety Alert No. 483 Contact: bseepublicaffairs@bsee.gov April 15, 2024 Phone: 800.200.4853
Scam Alert: Suspicious Requests for Payment
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is issuing this Safety Alert to inform users about possible scams requesting payment of fines for violations.
Be aware the documents you receive may appear to be printed on official government letterhead and could be used to justify requests for payments or loans.
BSEE does require payment of fines for certain violations, but BSEE will never:
• Request payment via phone or through any social media platforms. • Require a payment from an individual to exit an offshore facility. • Request any payment using a gift card. • Demand any payment without prior notification. • Send letters containing spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Should BSEE require a payment for a civil penalty or a fine, the fine will be paid by the operator, not by an individual. BSEE will always send an initial notice to the operator and provide them the opportunity to engage with the BSEE Civil Penalty team.
Fines are paid through the Federal Reserve’s Fedwire Funds Service. https://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/fedfunds_about.htm
Any fees resulting from an appeal of a civil penalty fine is paid through the pay.gov website https://www.pay.gov/public/home.
For more information on government impersonation scams, please see, How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam document from the Federal Trade Commission at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-government-impersonation-scam
More information about BSEE’s civil penalty process can be found on the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement website. https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/safety-enforcement/civil-penalties-program
If you receive a suspicious request to pay a fine that appears to be from BSEE, please contact the BSEE Office of Public Affairs at 1-800-200-4853 or bseepublicaffairs@bsee.gov
– BSEE –
A Safety Alert is a tool used by BSEE to inform the offshore oil and gas industry of the circumstances surrounding a potential safety issue. It also contains recommendations that could assist avoiding potential incidents on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Category: Scams