Federal authorities have issued a stark warning about scams targeting businesses and individuals by impersonating well-known companies and government agencies.
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 government impersonation scams. These fraudulent activities have resulted in losses exceeding $1.1 billion.
For Rockland County businesses, the threat is real and growing. As local small businesses strive to recover from economic challenges and build a resilient community, it’s crucial to be aware of the top five scams identified by the FTC:
- Copycat Account Security Alerts: Scammers often send messages about supposed suspicious activity or unauthorized charges, posing as entities like Amazon or banks. These messages usually include a phone number or ask for a response like YES or NO.
Responding leads to instructions that steal your money, often through transferring funds or using a Bitcoin ATM. - Phony Subscription Renewals: Businesses might receive notifications about subscription renewals from services like Geek Squad. These are not legitimate.
If you call, scammers request remote access to your computer, making it appear that too much money was refunded and demanding you return the difference via gift cards. - Fake Giveaways, Discounts, or Money Claims: Scammers may offer fake discounts from your internet provider, giveaways from major retailers, or sweepstakes winnings from Publishers Clearing House. They may also claim you are entitled to government money.
These offers lead to demands for payment through gift cards or money transfers, which are signs of a scam. - Bogus Legal Problems: Scammers pretending to be government agents might claim your identity was used in criminal activities like money laundering or drug smuggling.
They offer to help resolve the issue, which involves moving money or buying gift cards. - Made-Up Package Delivery Problems: Messages from scammers pretending to be USPS, UPS, or FedEx claim there’s a problem with a delivery.
They direct you to fake websites or ask for bank details or a redelivery fee, leading to the theft of your credit card information.
Precautionary Measures for Rockland County Businesses
To protect against these scams, the FTC advises:
- Avoid Clicking on Links or Responding to Unexpected Messages: Verify the source independently.
- Be Skeptical of Gift Card Requests: No legitimate business or government agency will ask for payment via gift cards or Bitcoin ATMs.
- Take Your Time: Scammers thrive on creating urgency. Slow down and verify any suspicious communications.
- For additional resources on how to spot and avoid scams, and steps to recover money if scammed, visit ftc.gov/scams.
- Report any scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Rockland County businesses must remain vigilant to protect themselves from these pervasive threats. By staying informed and cautious, we can safeguard our local economy and community from fraudsters.
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