When it comes to scams and frauds, it’s not just individuals at risk, but also companies. In Episode 2 of Digging Deeper, Chris Morgan Jones interviews Jordan Arnold about corporate scams, and they even discuss cracking the case of a stolen Dali.
How can individuals and organizations recognize scams before they fall victim to them? K2 Integrity offers the following guidance to individuals and entities alike.
Top Tips to Avoid the Scammers:
- Before it happens—online sharing. In today’s world, a digital footprint can be invaluable for criminals. From social media to publicly available information, criminals are able to make scams increasingly personalized. By practicing safe online sharing practices, organizations and individuals can have a first line of defense against scammers.
- Keep your information close. Scammers often aren’t who they say they are—they can call, text, or email as a friend or family member. If you’re not expecting a request, don’t share personal information or financial information, no matter how real it may feel.
- Don’t pay for anything upfront. Whether it is debt relief or the trip of a lifetime, scammers will explain away why you need to put a down an initial payment. Even if it sounds amazing, do not wire, pay cash, write a check, or pay via peer-to-peer services.
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. When you’re approached by a dream offer, make sure you do your homework and don’t let your guard down. For example:
- When was the email domain created? If it was recently—even three months ago—it’s probably a hoax.
- Did you reach out to the verified company, not just the individual? To check whether a call or an email is real, contact the company the person is with—even considering reaching out to their PR firm or external representation.
