Please, can I ask you to do me a favour this week?
When you’ve read this can you call or email your insurance broker and double check you’re covered for cyber crime insurance? Please?
I just don’t want anyone else I know getting stung by these fraudsters.
They are getting Sooooo smart
Much as I hate to give evil fraudsters any credit, I have to admit they’re absolute pros at what they do, and getting smarter all the time.
Don’t think this can’t happen to you. Several very clever people I know have been caught out in the last few weeks alone.
What are they doing?
This isn’t random phishing; they’re doing their homework. They’re cloning your emails, they know what language you use, they know the chain of command in your business and they’re very good at getting people to transfer large sums of money to them. They’re even hacking bank accounts directly.
What can you do?
Here are my suggestions:
- Don’t ever transfer funds on the back of someone in your business emailing you. Make sure everyone who has bank access knows this.
- Don’t ever change bank access passwords on the strength of a phone call from “the bank” – it might not be them.
- Any payments made from a business should always be properly authorised – you need to see the invoice for the goods you’re paying for.
- Make sure you have clear written authority limits in place for how much money can be paid by, and by who.
- If you’re the boss, make it clear to your team that you would never email them asking them to a bank transfer with nothing to back it up.
- Be suspicious!
Stay vigilant, this stuff is here to stay – we’ve got to be much smarter than them.
And remember, do check that insurance with your broker, and please forward this onto anyone in your business who needs to be aware, and any friends you know who run their own business.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]