Don't Get Scammed! Red Flags to Watch Out For

It's a tough world out there, and unfortunately, small businesses are often targets for scams. These aren't just spam emails; they can be very convincing and can cost you a lot of time and money.

Here are a few red flags to watch out for to keep your business safe:

1. The "Too Good to Be True" Offer: Someone offers to build you a fancy website for a fraction of the market price, or a marketing company promises to get you on the first page of Google in a week. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 😟 These "deals" often hide hidden fees or result in shoddy work.

2. Urgent Requests from "Official" Sources: You get an email from what looks like the IRS or a government agency demanding immediate payment for a "late fee." The email might threaten legal action if you don't pay right away. Stop! The IRS and other agencies will almost never contact you this way for payments. It's a classic scare tactic.

3. Unsolicited Invoices: An invoice shows up in your email for a service you never ordered. It might even be for a small amount, hoping you'll just pay it to get it over with. Always double-check any invoice against your records. If you didn't order it, don't pay it.

4. Requests for Personal Information: A "vendor" or "client" asks for sensitive information like your social security number or bank account details via an email or text message. Be extremely cautious. Scammers often use this to steal your identity or money.

Staying vigilant is your best defense. If something feels off, trust your gut. Take a moment to verify the source through a separate, known channel before you click any links, open any attachments, or send any money.

As always, if I can be of any help, please reach out to me at; mdaviscpb@qbocleanups.com.