What you’ll discover:
As a small company owner, you should always be on the lookout for fraud, but with the forthcoming July 15th tax deadline and the broad vulnerability presented by the COVID-19 outbreak, you should be extra cautious. Scams may become more popular during times of uncertainty, therefore it is important to be cautious. We’ve addressed some of your concerns concerning small-business scams, including how to protect yourself and report suspected criminal behavior.
This sort of scam includes a fraudulent actor trying to sell counterfeit or non-existent personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks or COVID-19 testing materials. As a recommended practice for safe online buying, make sure you have a secure web connection with a URL that begins with “https” and that the website utilizes legitimate trust seals. Any product that claims to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 should be avoided. In general, only provide your banking and credit card information to reputable providers. If an offer looks to be too good to be true, it probably is.
To begin, if you get an unsolicited email or text message that seems to be fake, do not open any files or click on any links. They have the potential to expose your network to malware. If you have previously mistakenly handed important information away, it may be a smart idea to freeze your credit so that new accounts cannot be started. Of course, you may also need to notify your bank and creditors of any probable fraud.
In addition to being watchful on your own, ensure that your whole workforce learns and recognizes the telltale indicators of possibly fraudulent actions. Examine your Employee Handbook and update it as needed to ensure that it contains up-to-date information regarding data security and breach response procedures.
If you get a strange email, text message, or phone call (or notice a questionable website), you may report it immediately to the Department of Homeland Security at [email protected].
This is already a difficult moment for small companies, so keep alert to prevent extra financial stress. Make sure you understand your government assistance choices and seek legal counsel if necessary. If you have any legal issues or concerns as a consequence of COVID-19, contact the Coronavirus Law Center for Business to speak with a lawyer for free.