Protecting Your Small Business and Your Customers
Against Fraud

• Sending invoices for goods and services you did not purchase
• Purchasing goods or services, while pretending to be a part of your business
• Attempting to get private information about employees or customers
• Stealing private information about your business through e-mail scams

• Never submit your Social Security number, passwords or PINs via an unsolicited e-mail message or fax.
• Do not confirm or provide private financial information by e-mail or fax. Some e-mail frauds look like a message from your bank or credit card company requesting confirmation of financial data.  Contact the actual business or government agency that is requesting financial information from your business to verify its legitimacy.
• Do not respond to unsolicited e-mail business offers from strangers. Treat unsolicited e-mail or fax requests for financial information or personal data with suspicion.
• Be skeptical of “throwaway” e-mail addresses. Thieves often use free web mail addresses.

• Scrutinize bills or invoices for goods or services that the business never ordered. Always contact your local Better Business Bureau to check out offers, invoices or other materials that your business receives from questionable sources.
• Check monthly statements to verify all transactions. Notify your financial institution immediately if you detect any erroneous or suspicious transactions.

Protecting Your Customer’s Personal Information 

• Don’t collect information you do not need.   
• Keep customer information secure. Make sure those paper records that contain personal information are kept under lock and key when they aren't in use and computers are password protected.
• Don't allow customers or others to wander around the private areas of your business.
• Don't put personal information like account numbers in billings or letters where that information is visible through windows in the envelope.
• Don't use Social Security numbers as account numbers.