SAM.gov Renewal Scam Warning: Don’t Click That Link

Your inbox is overflowing. Board updates. Volunteer schedules. A donor wants a tax receipt from 2021.Then bam! — an alarming email shows up:

Your SAM.gov registration is expiring. Act now or risk losing funding.

Cue the panic.

But here’s the thing: this email is basically the nonprofit version of “your car’s extended warranty is about to expire.”

If you are in nonprofit leadership and haven't received a Sam.gov renewal scam before, it is probably just a matter of time. We're here to set the record straight and ease your mind when they show up.

What is the SAM.gov Renewal Scam?

Scammers target nonprofits registered with SAM.gov. They send convincing, official-looking emails (often complete with American flags and fancy seals) that say things like:

• “Update your SAM profile immediately.”

• “Avoid deactivation – click here.”

• “Pay $500 to expedite renewal!”

None of this is legit. These businesses often send notices months before your renewal is due. Why? To create urgency and get you to act without thinking twice.

How to Renew Your SAM.gov Registration (Safely)

Yes, you do need to renew your SAM.gov registration every year but it’s always free, and you can do it yourself in just a few minutes.

Here’s the right way:

1. Go to SAM.gov directly (never click a link from an email).

2. Log in using your login.gov credentials.

3. Review your entity’s information and click “Renew.”

That’s it. No payments. No third-party site.

Prefer to Have Support?

You don’t need to pay a third party. But just so you know, Ghost Writer can, and often does, take care of this for our retainer clients.

We track deadlines, manage registrations, and keep your federal eligibility up to date so you can focus on your mission, not phishing threats. Want to learn more? Let's talk!