Scam alert for US companies

Being alert against deception is very important for a company’s bottom-line. Becoming a prey of scam can be a financial and reputational blow on a business. Fraudsters aren’t always trying to whip money from a company; at times they are after a company’s data. The best way for companies to guard themselves is to be attentive of the following scams:

1. Phishing scams – These emerge to be genuine e-mails to the viewer, but are fake messages that usually download viruses into the victim’s computer. These viruses detain delicate information, such as bank details, Social Security numbers or credit card details. Phishing is a big danger as large amount of vital information is stored on computers. 
2. Directory Scams or False Billing – This involves illusory sale for directories. The scammers request companies to revise the company’s information in a directory or the scammer might lie about being with the Yellow Pages. The scammer afterwards bills the company for being listed in the directory or for placing ads never purchased. 
3. Overpayment Scams – The fraudster shows interests in lavish goods that a company is selling. The scammer, then send a check that surpass the cost of the item and requests that the victim should wire the difference. Ultimately, the reasonable-appearing check will bounce, leaving the prey to pay the entire amount. 
4. Office Supply Scams – The fraudsters bills the company for office supplies which was never ordered.  They send fake invoices tend to be for generic and non-descript services that would commonly take place at a business, like a toner, paper, copier maintenance etc.
5. Vanity Awards – A vanity scam is one of the top con jobs targeting small businesses as they victim on very innocent facet of humans—pride. A company is contacted about winning an award and asked to pay the certain amount for receiving the award. However, these are fake groups.
6. Data Breaches – A data breach can happen even no matter how watchful your company is. A data breach whether due to negligence, hackers or an annoyed employee, can have a severe effect on the level of customers’ trust in your business.