Category: security

Beware of PPP Scams

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been one of the most important pieces of legislation signed into effect since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The unsecured loans through the Small Business Association (SBA) have enabled our favorite retail shops, restaurants and small businesses to stay afloat, even as the coronavirus devastates sectors of the economy.

Not surprisingly, scammers have been using the PPP for their own purposes, mainly to con struggling business owners out of money. In these scams, they’ll pose as SBA representatives or legitimate lenders to ask for personal information from the borrower. They may also send bogus emails appearing to be from the SBA to lead the victim into downloading malware.

Scammers are getting smarter all the time, but so are we! Here’s how to avoid PPP scams:

Know how PPP loans are processed

Ready to apply for a PPP loan? Just download the SBA PPP loan application, fill it out and submit it to an SBA-approved lender. You’ll also need to provide some documents, such as tax returns for 2019, verifiable payroll expense documents, your most recent mortgage or rent statement, etc.

If you’re applying for a Second Draw PPP Loan, you will also need documentation that shows how you have used, or plan to use, your original PPP funds.

After you’ve submitted your application, just sit back and wait for approval.

How can I protect my business from PPP fraud?

Do:
  • Be wary of any individuals demanding immediate payment or asking that you make immediate contact to be eligible for a PPP loan. These are likely scammers.
  • Only use a lender that is accredited by the SBA. You can find all SBA-approved lenders here.
  • Look for the .gov at the end of each email or website allegedly from the SBA or another government entity.
  • Report any suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Don’t let those crooks walk free!
 Don’t:
  • Pay for a program that promises to process or expedite a PPP loan request if the organization behind the program is not accredited by the SBA.
  • Share any personal information with an unverified caller or email contact. If it’s personal info, make sure to keep it that way!
  • Click on links or download files from an unfamiliar email address.

Stay safe!

Beware Coronavirus Vaccine Scams

Believe it or not, there is a light at the end of the socially distanced tunnel. After months of trials, the FDA has approved two vaccines for the coronavirus.

Don’t like getting needles stuck in your arm? No worries. You may not be getting that shot for a while. That’s due to a whole lot of rules and guidelines about who gets the vaccine first, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.

The really bad news, though, is that those low-down scammers want to make you think otherwise. Yes, they’re back, and this time, they’re using news of the vaccines to get to you and your wallet.

Here’s what you need to know:

Long distribution process

The public is jumping all over each other in excitement for the vaccine — but the government is taking this whole process slowly, and there’s no way to pay under the table to cut to the head of the line. Expect a drawn-out distribution that may take months. If someone asks you for money to get your vaccine sooner, run the other way. Yes, it’s a scam.

DON’T pay money for the promise of getting your vaccine sooner.

Only through verified sources

Mama taught you not to take candy from strangers, and you shouldn’t be taking shots from them either. The COVID-19 vaccine will only be distributed through doctors — and we’re talking about the MD type. This is one item you can’t order on Amazon, even if you have Prime.

DON’T get your vaccine through an internet retailer.

No cost

Are you covered? If so, you’ll get your shot at no charge. All insured Americans can expect to get their vaccine for free.

DON’T pay for a COVID-19 vaccine.

No need to share information

Private information should be kept that way. There’s no need to share your Social Security number or financial account details to get your shot.

DON’T share personal info with an unknown contact.

FDA-approved only

So far, only vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been given the thumbs-up by the FDA. A vaccine approval is big news; if the FDA says yes to any more vaccines, expect to see it in the headlines.

DON’T agree to receive a vaccine you haven’t heard of or read about.

Don’t Fall Prey to a Holiday Toy Scam

Scammers famously exploit high-stress times, and the pre-holidays shopping frenzy is no exception. That’s why the BBB is warning of an uptick in holiday toy scams which can be difficult to spot.

Here’s what you need to know about these scams.

How the scam plays out

Every year, there are a few must-have toys on most kids’ wish lists. These choice picks become the hottest-selling items and are plucked off shelves in a wink. Unfortunately for anyone who didn’t shop early enough, these toys soon become impossible to find. The parents search desperately, but to no avail.

Here’s where the scammer steps in. Armed with a bogus website and some crafty online tracking, the scammer targets the vulnerable shopper with ads and online messages to draw the shopper to the scammer’s site. On the authentic-looking site, the shopper finally finds what they seek — the sought-after toy! Often, the toy is also deeply discounted. The purchase is completed within minutes.

Unfortunately, though, the scammer will send a cheap knockoff that doesn’t work or quickly breaks. When contacted for a refund, the scammer refuses to provide one or offers only to refund a small percentage of the purchase price. Sometimes, they’ll also charge an exorbitant amount of money for shipping it back to the company, almost making the small refund not worthwhile.

Red flags

Here’s how to spot these scams:

  • The seller has a large supply of toys that are in high demand.
  • The website is not secure.
  • The seller is offering a steep discount due to a “flash sale” or “last-minute” deal.
  • The seller’s website is full of spelling and/or grammatical errors.

Stay safe

Keep yourself safe when shopping online with these tips:

  • Research before you buy. Avoid purchasing an expensive item from a company you’ve never heard of before without doing some digging.
  • Look for the lock icon and the “s” after the “http” on the URL before buying anything.
  • Review item return policies before making a purchase.
  • Pay with credit for purchase protection power.
  • Keep your security software up to date.
  • Hang on to any purchase order confirmations.
  • Don’t trust links in unsolicited emails. Scammers will often impersonate reputable websites in order to gain access to your account information. Go to a company website directly when looking for an item.
  • If you believe you’ve been targeted by a holiday toy scam, end all contact with the seller immediately. Alert the BBB and let your friends know about the circulating scam as well.

Shop safely this holiday season!

Staying Safe Online

A compromised computer can put you at risk for money loss, phishing scams or even complete identity theft. Read on for some steps you can take to keep yourself safe online.

Avoid fake sites

If you’re browsing a site you don’t usually use, ask yourself these questions to make sure it’s safe:

  • Does your browser warn you against visiting the site? Your browser’s warnings are based on actual data and user reports.
  • Is the web text riddled with grammar mistakes and typos? If a site looks like it was written by a second-grader, leave.
  • Is the site secure? Only visit sites with an “https” and not just an “http” in the address bar.
  • Does the digital footprint check out? Google the company’s name to see what’s being said about them.
  • Is there a legitimate “Contact us” section? There should be an authentic physical address and phone number for the business.
  • Is there an excessive number of ads? If a website is practically covered in ads, it’s likely a fake.
  • Check the shipping and return policies. If you can’t find this information, the site is probably bogus.
  • Is the URL authentic? When redirected to another site, check the new URL to see if it matches the original company.
  • Does something seem too good to be true? If so, it probably is, and caution is warranted!
  • Is the site prompting you to download something? Make sure you verify the site before performing any download.
  • Is there an alternative site that you’ve used before and trust? If so, use that site instead.

Practice password safety

It’s the key to your online life — keep it safe! Here’s how:

  • Change your password every 30-40 days.
  • Never double passwords. Use a unique code for each site and service you use.
  • Use strong passwords. Choose passwords that include a mixture of capitalization use, numbers, letters and symbols.
  • Use a random passphrase instead of a password. Passphrases are longer and harder to guess. Switch out certain letters with symbols and numbers to make it even more secure. The longer the password the better.

Update your browser

Perhaps the most important step of internet safety is keeping your browser updated. With just one click, you’ll increase your browser’s security and improve your computer by making it faster and compatible with more websites.

Above all else, an updated browser will provide better security. Internet companies are constantly looking for ways to protect you and keep you safer; take full advantage of their efforts by always using the latest version.

An updated browser offers stronger protection against the most recent scams, phishing attacks, viruses, Trojans, and more. Newer browsers have also patched up security vulnerabilities that may be present in your older browser. Updating your browser is super-easy and super-quick. Late model computers will update automatically as soon as new iterations are released to the public. If your computer is a little older, you can choose the “auto-update” feature available on some browsers for the same results. Otherwise, you can update your browser manually by following the instructions on your browser. These are typically easy to follow and take just a few clicks.

Video Banking