The ACCC is urging all small businesses to protect their information when using digital and online tools.
Scams affecting small business
Between January-September this year, Scamwatch received more than 1,440 reports from small businesses about scams, with $6.6 million lost.
False billing and phishing scams were the most commonly reported scams.
Recent data breaches
Scamwatch has seen new scams quickly emerge following the Optus data breach.
As a small business, it’s important that you take extra care with customer accounts to protect your data and your money falling into the hands of scammers.
It’s equally important for you to monitor your platforms and services for scams or suspicious activity.
Five simple steps to avoid scams
- Inform and educate your staff members about scams (such as by forwarding this email and subscribing to Scamwatch email alerts and following @Scamwatch_gov on Twitter).
- Have clear processes in place for verifying and paying accounts, and make sure all staff know about them.
- Ensure your systems have up-to-date anti-virus software.
- Consider what business information you post on social media and networking sites, as scammers use publicly available information to target businesses.
- Back up your data regularly and store your backups offsite and offline. The Australian Cyber Security Centre explains how your business can back up your data.
Stay ahead of scammers
Scams Awareness Week is helping to highlight common scams affecting small businesses and what you can do to reduce the risk to your business.
Visit the Scamwatch website to view a series of short educational videos, featuring simple and practical tips to help you identify and protect your business from scams.
Privacy obligations
Scammers can gain identity information by unlawfully accessing your records.
If your small business has privacy obligations, you must take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. See the OAIC’s guide to securing personal information.
More details on protecting your small business are available on the Scamwatch website.
If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
If you have given personal information to a scammer, contact IDCARE
Subscribe to our free mailing list and always be the first to receive the latest news and updates.