Why us? Small business owners set appropriate goals. Small and medium-sized businesses are often very preoccupied with owners doing everything themselves to run the business, and local businesses and startups often lack the same cybersecurity support that larger companies provide. This makes them easy targets for fraudsters. The Better Business Bureau has released a list of the top 10 scams that specifically target small businesses. The most common ones include fake invoices requesting payment for products or services you didn't order. The most common scams include listing office supplies and directories that fall into this category. Next up is identity or brand hacking. The scammer sets up a fake website for her and takes over her company name and address. they may use. Company logos and website content disguised as a business to deceive unsuspecting visitors. Vanity Award Scam. They are capitalizing on corporate excitement over totally worthless awards. The scam email congratulates the owner on winning an award, but they typically have to pay a fee of several hundred dollars to claim the award. These are just some of the scams. If you know a small business owner, you should share this information with them. We now have a complete list of the BBB's top 10 scams targeting small businesses. On my Facebook page:
Top 10 scams targeting small businesses
Updated: April 14, 2024 10:17 AM EDT
Scammers are happy to extort anyone's money, and that includes small businesses. Small businesses are easy targets for scammers because owners are often very preoccupied with doing everything themselves. Additionally, local businesses and startups often lack cybersecurity. Security support for large enterprises. According to the Better Business Bureau, the top 10 scams targeting small businesses are: Fake invoices: Businesses receive bogus invoices requesting payment for products or services they neither ordered nor received. The most common scams include office supplies, website or domain hosting services, and directory listings. Directory scams: Scammers try to trick businesses into paying for listings or advertising space in directories that don't exist. In some cases, a directory may technically exist but not be distributed to potential customers. Scammers may also lie and say they are using a legitimate directory. Identity theft: Fraudsters often pose as legitimate businesses to deceive consumers. The bad guy sets up a fake website for her and takes over her company name and address. They may also engage in brand takeover (copying or misusing a company's logo or website content) in order to impersonate a company and deceive customers. Charity sales pitches: Although many requests for charity donations are legitimate, small businesses fall victim to fraudulent or deceptive charity sales schemes every year. Phishing scams: These scams attempt to steal information about your business and often look like legitimate emails or text messages. However, clicking on the link may download a virus that captures personal information or loads a form requesting bank account or credit card details. Office supplies scam: Businesses receive unexpected phone calls from people claiming to be representatives of reputable companies. Scam callers attempt to sell surplus business products at discounted prices due to cancellations or over-orders by other buyers. Product does not exist. Coupon Book: Small businesses are often approached to participate in coupon book promotions. This business offers discounts and offers in coupon books that promoters sell to consumers. Problems arise when the organizer changes the terms of the coupon, sells too many books, or distributes the coupon outside of the company's normal business area. Vanity Prize Fraud: Vanity prize schemes capitalize on a company's excitement over an essentially worthless prize. The scam email congratulates the owner on winning the prize and invites them to click on a link to learn more about how to claim their prize. However, you will need to pay a fee to claim the honor. Overpayment fraud: Your counterparty sends you a check for more than the amount owed. You will then be asked to rewire your balance. The scammer may also send you a check and instruct you to deposit it to keep a portion of your compensation and wire the remainder. However, the check ends up being bounced and you are charged the full amount.
Scammers are happy to extort money from anyone, including small businesses.
Small businesses are easy targets for scammers because owners are often very preoccupied with doing everything themselves.
Also, local businesses and startups often don't have the same cybersecurity support as larger companies.
According to the Better Business Bureau, the top 10 scams targeting small businesses are:
- Fake invoices: Businesses receive bogus invoices requesting payment for products or services they neither ordered nor received. The most common scams include office supplies, website or domain hosting services, and directory listings.
- Directory scams: Scammers try to trick businesses into paying for listings or advertising space in directories that don't exist. In some cases, a directory may technically exist but not be distributed to potential customers. Scammers may also lie and say they are using a legitimate directory.
- Identity theft: Fraudsters often pose as legitimate businesses to deceive consumers. The bad guy sets up a fake website for her and takes over her company name and address. They may also engage in brand hijacking (copying and exploiting a company's logo or website content) in order to impersonate a company and deceive customers.
- Charity Promotion: Although many requests for charitable donations are legitimate, small businesses fall victim to fraudulent or deceptive charity solicitation schemes every year.
- Phishing scams: These scams attempt to steal information about your business and often appear as legitimate emails or text messages. However, clicking on the link may download a virus that captures personal information or loads a form requesting bank account or credit card details.
- Office supplies scam: Businesses receive unexpected phone calls from people claiming to be representatives of reputable companies. Scam callers attempt to sell surplus business products at discounted prices due to cancellations or over-orders by other buyers. Product does not exist.
- Coupon Book: Small businesses are often approached to participate in coupon book promotions. This business offers discounts and offers in coupon books that promoters sell to consumers. Problems arise when organizers change coupon terms, sell too many books, or distribute coupons outside of a company's normal business area.
- Vanity Award Fraud: Vanity award schemes capitalize on corporate excitement over awards that are inherently worthless. The scam email congratulates the owner on winning the prize and invites them to click on a link to learn more about how to claim their prize. But you have to pay a fee to claim that honor.
- Overpayment fraud: Your counterparty sends you a check for more than the amount owed. You will then be asked to rewire your balance. The scammer may also send you a check and instruct you to deposit it to keep a portion of your compensation and wire the remainder. However, the check ends up being bounced and you are charged the full amount.
