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Tips to avoid falling for a scam while at work

Posted at 10:33 AM, Sep 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-21 11:33:19-04

Many of us are alert to scammers who contact us via our personal phones or email accounts. But scammers are also known to target us at work.

Here are a few things to watch out for:

Fake calls from someone posing as a utility company or vendor about a past due bill. They will often threaten to cut off service unless payment is made with an iTunes, eBay or another prepaid debit card.

Fake e-mails that claim to be from your company’s tech support team, telling you to click on a link, or provide login and password information.

Emails from scammers posing as a customer or vendor with new banking procedures for making or receiving payments.

Or, a scammer who poses as someone from upper management, asking you to email personal information such as Social Security numbers for you or your fellow employees.

Now more than ever, it is important to check things out before you click on a link, respond to an e-mail or follow the instructions from a potential scammer by phone. The best way to protect yourself is to call or email managers, customers or vendors at a number or email address that you know is legitimate.

For more information about scams targeting businesses, check out this guide from the Federal Trade Commission.