How to Spot an Internet Scam — Tips for Small Businesses
The numbers are staggering: 60% of small companies have experienced a cyber attack, including phishing and social engineering scams. Recognizing these threats early can save your business money and your hard-earned reputation.
Think critically about what you receive via email or while browsing the Internet.
1. Too Good to Be True Offers: If an offer looks incredibly favorable without any apparent catch, it probably isn’t legitimate. Scammers often lure victims with promises of high rewards for minimal effort or investment.
2. Urgency Tactics: Scammers love urgency. They might say you must act fast to claim an offer or resolve a problem. Before you react, take a moment to assess the situation critically. Genuine businesses understand that decision-making takes time.
3. Unusual Payment Methods: Be wary if you’re asked to make payments via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These methods are difficult to trace and are favorites among fraudsters.
4. Suspicious Links and Attachments: Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These can lead to malicious sites that steal your personal information. Always verify the website's authenticity by checking its URL or directly navigating to the site through a search engine.
5. Grammar and Spelling Errors: Professional companies pride themselves on communication. If you receive an email with errors, it’s likely not from a legitimate source.
6. Call Now! If someone’s urging you to call a telephone number … don’t.
7. People Lie. Nobody from Microsoft is monitoring your computer. Microsoft doesn’t solicit end users to contact them across their computer, nor does the IRS. If you receive anything like this, somebody is lying to you. Stop falling for it.
By staying vigilant and educating your team on these signs, you can protect your business from the detrimental impacts of internet scams. Remember, when in doubt, it’s better to err on caution and verify everything before proceeding.
