As a business owner, you are always looking for ways to protect your company from scams and fraud. Unfortunately, online scams are becoming more and more common, and it can be difficult to tell which deals are legitimate and which ones are not. Here are 20 things you need to do to protect your business from online scams.

1. Educate your employees about online scams

As anyone who has ever fallen victim to an online scam knows, they can be costly and time-consuming to deal with. Not only can they result in financial losses, but they can also cause reputational damage to your business. That’s why it’s so important to educate your employees about how to identify and avoid online scams. The first step is to raise awareness about the types of scams that are out there. Employees should be on the lookout for emails or messages that contain misspellings or grammatical errors, as well as links that go to strange or unexpected websites. They should also be suspicious of any request for personal or financial information, or any offer that seems too good to be true. If your employees are armed with this knowledge, they’ll be able to spot a scam a mile away – and help to protect your business in the process.

2. Be cautious of unsolicited emails and offers

It’s not uncommon for scammers to pose as legitimate businesses in order to gain your trust. They may use spoofed email addresses or websites that look almost identical to the real thing but with a few small differences. This is why it’s so important to be cautious of unsolicited emails and offers – even if they appear to be from a legitimate source. If you’re not sure whether an email or offer is legitimate, contact the company directly to verify its authenticity before responding.

3. Do not click on links or attachments from unknown senders

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from online scams is to simply not click on links or open attachments from unknown senders. If you don’t know the person or company who sent you an email, it’s best to err on the side of caution and delete it without opening it. The same goes for any attachment – even if you think it might be legitimate, it’s best to verify with the sender before opening it, just to be safe. By exercising this type of caution, you can protect yourself and your business from a lot of potential harm.

4. Do not respond to requests for personal or financial information

Another easy way to protect yourself from online scams is to simply not respond to requests for personal or financial information. This includes requests for your Social Security number, bank account information, credit card numbers, or anything else that could be used to commit fraud. If you receive any such request – even if it appears to be from a legitimate source – do not respond. Instead, contact the company directly to verify the request before taking any action.

5. Be suspicious of offers that are too good to be true

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is especially true when it comes to online offers. Be suspicious of any offer that seems too good to be true – such as a free trial that requires you to provide credit card information, or a “guaranteed” investment with high returns. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it’s best to steer clear and not risk getting scammed.

6. Verify the identity of the person or company you’re dealing with

When you’re doing business online, it’s important to verify the identity of the person or company you’re dealing with. This can be tricky, as scammers are often adept at disguising their identity. However, there are a few things you can look for that may help you spot a fake. First, check to see if the website is secured with SSL encryption. You can usually tell this by looking for the https:// in the URL, as well as a green lock icon in the browser bar. You should also take a close look at the website itself – if it looks unprofessional or has grammar or spelling errors, it may be a scam. Finally, try doing a reverse image search on any photos you see on the site. This can help you to see if the photos are being used elsewhere on the internet – which may be a sign that they’re fake.

7. Do your research before making any decisions

When you’re considering any online offer, it’s important to do your research before making a decision. This includes reading reviews, checking with the Better Business Bureau, and doing a general internet search to see if there are any complaints or red flags about the company or offer. By taking the time to do your research, you can avoid getting scammed and losing money.

8. Pay attention to your gut instinct

Sometimes, the best way to protect yourself from an online scam is to simply trust your gut instinct. If something feels off or too good to be true, it’s probably best to steer clear. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you have any doubts about an offer or company, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

9. Use secure payment methods

When you’re making any online purchase, it’s important to use a secure payment method. This means using a credit card or PayPal rather than giving out your bank account information. This way, if you do end up getting scammed, you can dispute the charges with your credit card company and hopefully get your money back.

10. Keep your software and security systems up to date

One of the best ways to protect your business from online scams is to keep your software and security systems up to date. This includes your operating system, web browser, antivirus software, and any other security programs you have installed. By keeping these programs up to date, you can help to protect yourself from new threats that may come up.

11. Use strong and unique passwords

Another important way to protect your business from online scams is to use strong and unique passwords. This means using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters – and not using the same password for multiple accounts. By using strong passwords, you can help to keep your account safe from hackers who may try to gain access in order to commit fraud.

12. Be cautious of public Wi-Fi

When you’re using public Wi-Fi, it’s important to be cautious. This is because public Wi-Fi is often unsecured, which means that anyone can access it. This means that if you’re not careful, someone could potentially intercept the information you’re sending and receiving sensitive data – such as credit card numbers or passwords. To help protect yourself, only use public Wi-Fi if you absolutely have to, and make sure to use a VPN if possible.

13. Restrict employee access to sensitive information

If you have employees, it’s important to restrict their access to sensitive information. This includes financial information, customer data, and anything else that could potentially be used to commit fraud. By keeping this information secure, you can help to protect your business from internal scams.

14. Don’t provide personal or financial information on websites that aren’t secure

 When you’re entering personal or financial information on a website, it’s important to make sure that the site is secure. You can usually tell if a site is secure if it has https:// in the address bar – this means that the site is using a secure connection. If a site is not secure, there is a chance that your information could be intercepted by someone else.

15. Keep your business information confidential

It’s important to keep your business information – such as your business name, address, and contact information – confidential. This means not sharing this information with anyone who does not need it. By keeping your business information confidential, you can help to prevent it from being used for fraud or identity theft.

16. Have a privacy policy and terms of use for your website

If you have a website for your business, it’s important to have a privacy policy and terms of use. This way, you can let your customers know what information you collect and how you use it. This can help to prevent fraud and scams, as well as help to build trust with your customers.

17. Do not respond to threats or demands for money

If you receive any threats or demands for money, it’s important not to respond. This is because these are often scams, and by responding, you could end up giving away personal or financial information. If you do receive one of these messages, report it to the police and delete it from your system.

18. Be careful when using social media

Social media can be a great way to connect with your customers – but it’s important to be careful. This is because scammers can use social media to try and get personal or financial information from you. To help protect yourself, only friend or follow people you know, and do not click on links from people you don’t know.

19. Use two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that can help to protect your accounts from being hacked. This works by requiring you to enter a code – which is usually sent to your phone – in addition to your password. This means that even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the code.

20. Create a backup plan in case of data loss or theft

Even if you take all of the necessary precautions, there’s always a chance that your data could be lost or stolen. This is why it’s important to have a backup plan in place. This could include storing data off-site or using a cloud-based backup service. By having a backup plan, you can help to protect your business in the event of data loss or theft.

21. Stay informed about the latest scams

One of the best ways to protect your business from online scams is to stay informed about the latest scams. There are many resources available online, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s website, that can help you stay up-to-date.

Final Thoughts

By taking the necessary precautions, you can help to protect your business from online scams. Remember to keep your personal and financial information secure, be careful when using social media, and create a backup plan in case of data loss or theft. The 20 tips we have provided will help you get started, but be sure to continue to educate yourself on the latest threats.

If you use WordPress on your business website you must make sure it’s secure. Read our blog post to learn more: 15 Ways To Make Your WordPress Site More Secure