Amid reports of a targeted mail scam in New Jersey designed to extract payments and private financial information from Hurricane Irene flood victims, New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) yesterday urged the U.S. Department of Justice to use its full force to protect vulnerable victims and consumers.

Under the scam, victims in New Jersey receive a false “Financial Recovery Awards” letter asking them to mail a $29.97 payment and to provide their financial information in order to process $27,000 in recovery assistance, which the victims will never receive.

In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Menendez wrote:

“Individuals who have suffered a natural disaster and who are already hurting, homeless and vulnerable should not be subjected to scams that target their already depleted pocketbooks

“I urge you to put the full force of the Department behind an investigation of these crimes. The flooding in New Jersey is a horrible tragedy and it would be devastating to New Jersey families to forfeit more of their precious resources to these heinous scams.”