Don't Get Hooked by Phishing Schemes

Learn how to spot a phishing scam.

As a business owner, you likely get bombarded with phone calls and emails on a daily basis.  However, it's important to remember that fake calls and messages can pose a very real danger for your business.  For instance, some criminals may attempt to trap you with a phishing scheme.  A phishing scheme is an attempt to access personal information by impersonating another person or a legitimate entity (such as your bank).  To ensure that you do not get caught up in a scam, here are some signs that a call or email is part of a phishing scheme.

• Unfamiliar Companies

If you get a call or email from an unknown business where they offer you free prizes, products, or services, then it is a scam.  Oftentimes, the caller or sender will ask you to provide personal information, such as your credit card number, in order to receive the offer.  Some may try to pressure you into making quick decisions with the threat that you will lose the "great offer." Naturally, you should not give these callers or senders any information and instead block their number or report the email as spam.

• Misspelled Words

You can often identify phishing emails because the sender uses informal language or misspells words.  For instance, if you get an email that's seemingly from your bank, skim through it before taking any action.  If you notice that the sender misspells your name or other words or makes glaring grammatical errors, then this is a clear indication that it's a scam.  Quickly scanning through an email is generally enough to ascertain its legitimacy.

• Threatening Tone

Finally, if you receive a call or email that takes on a hyper-threatening tone, then it is likely a scam.  For instance, one popular tactic is claiming that one of your online accounts has been compromised.  The caller or email sender will urge you to verify your login credentials, claiming that failure to act immediately will result in the deletion of your account.  Should this happen to you, consider whether the caller or sender is asking you to take actions that are reasonable given the situation.  If you have doubts, always call the company to verify the legitimacy of the call or email.  You should never provide personal information over the phone or through email unless you are completely sure that the situation is safe.

Watch out for these signs of a phishing scam.  Want to protect your business from these risks and the other perils that it faces?  Then make sure you have the right business insurance protection in place.  For assistance with all your commercial coverage needs, contact the team at Scavone Insurance Agency Center LLC in White Plains, New York today.