The U.S. Forest Service is reminding the public that fraud involving USDA contracts on Helena National Forest lands can and should be reported — a notice that comes as federal agencies continue to scrutinize contracting practices on public lands across the West.

Fraud on USDA contracts can take several forms, including contractors billing for work not performed, falsifying records, or engaging in bid-rigging. The Forest Service manages significant contracts for timber sales, trail maintenance, fire suppression, and other services across the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, and those contracts are funded with federal dollars.

Anyone with knowledge of potential fraud, waste, or abuse involving USDA programs or contracts is encouraged to contact the USDA Office of Inspector General. Reports can be made online, by phone, or by mail, and can be submitted anonymously.

For Helena residents who live and recreate on land managed by the Forest Service, the reminder underscores the agency's ongoing effort to keep federal land management contracts accountable to the public.