Small business owners should be aware of scams and take steps to protect their businesses.
With the holidays coming up fast and the explosion of AI introducing ways to improve and streamline business, we want to advise all business owners to please continue to beware of scammers. Fraudsters are getting more and more clever in the ways they connect with potential victims, so it is critical to be more diligent and careful than ever to protect yourself and the hard work you’ve done building your business.
ACE is here to support all small business owners. So if you receive any suspicious emails that appear to be from ACE, please take the time to contact us first before clicking any links or taking any action.
Here are a few simple steps to help protect you and your business from scams:
- Unsolicited communications
Be cautious of unexpected emails, phone calls, or letters that ask for sensitive information. - Pressure tactics
Scammers may create a sense of urgency by claiming that your business will face severe consequences if you don’t act immediately. - Unfamiliar contacts
Be wary of contacts from companies you don’t recognize, or if the contact details seem suspicious. - Suspicious payment methods
Avoid paying with wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrencies. - Government-related communications
Verify the legitimacy of the communication by checking the website’s domain, looking for a secure connection, and confirming any banners or notifications. - Fake invoices
Scammers may send fake invoices or call to confirm an order and then send unordered merchandise. - Directory scams
Scammers may try to get businesses to pay for a listing or ad space in a non-existent directory. - Vanity awards
Be careful of schemes that claim you’ve been selected to be in a prestigious publication.
Other tips include:
• Keeping good records of all orders and purchases
• Establishing payment authorization procedures
• Double-checking vendors
• Being careful what information you share
• Protecting your devices
• Spreading the word to your employees and colleagues
If you spot a scam, you can report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov or file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Tips for small business owners from the FTC HERE