The USDA has been made aware that there is a fraudulent letter circulating to producers and – or contractors.  The signature line in these letters reads “Frank Rutenberg” and the sender claims to be a USDA employee seeking information about the recipient.    These letters are a fraud, the sender is fictitious and recipients should NOT respond to these letters.  Should you receive one of these fraudulent letters, please notify your local Farm Service Agency or a USDA Service Center representative.  Please share this information with your fellow farmers and ranchers.