Keeping your business safe from online fraud

Just like anyone else, businesses are vulnerable to online fraud – whether it be identity theft, online transactions and phishing or fake invoices.

The Essex Police Business Crime Team works with our fraud prevention co-ordinators to raise awareness of the importance of keeping your digital life secure.

Key to keeping your information safe is protecting your passwords and making sure they are unique. The weirder they are, the stronger they are and the harder they will be for a hacker to crack. Change your passwords regularly, use 2-step verification where you can and never use the same password for multiple accounts.

Sergeant Christian Denning says:

“Whether it's your email, online banking or a social media account, losing access to a digital account can be stressful. Enabling 2-step verification (2SV) will keep criminals out of your accounts, even if they work out your password.
“And ensuring you install the latest software and app updates will boost your online security.”

Another way criminals will try to target your business is by phishing, or using fake emails, text messages or phone calls to reel you in. Their aim is often to make you visit a website which may download a virus on to your computer or steal personal information, such as bank details.

Christian explains:

“To make their phishing messages more convincing, criminals will use information about you that’s available online, perhaps on your firm’s website or social media accounts or on your personal social media accounts.
“So, do think carefully about what details you post online and set the privacy settings on your accounts to Friends or People You Know.”

Invoice fraud happens when criminals pose as a company or organisation that you trust. They may email you to claim they have updated bank details and may send a fake invoice.

Christian advises:

“Always question changes in payment details or unexpected invoices and get these verified before you transfer money. Clicking on the sender’s email address may reveal it to be from a completely different, and fraudulent, sender.”

For more information and advice about business fraud, online fraud and cyber-crime, visit our Business Crime pages.

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