BBB warns of top 10 impostors targeting businesses
During National Small Business Week, Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that businesses are a prime target for impostor invoices, postcards, notices, emails and visitors touting:
- Office supplies
- Magazine subscriptions
- Business vanity awards
- Yellow page ads or directory listings
- Employment and labor posters
- Licensing registration renewals
- Domain registration renewals
- Office or building utility services
- Tech support or data back-up services
- Business complaints, penalties or fines
“It’s one thing for companies to solicit their products and services to other businesses openly and honestly. However, some companies wrongfully mimic official agencies, organizations or current vendors,” says Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington.
Always keep good records, check the books, be wary of deadlines and read the fine print. Remember:
– New business solicitations should be presented as optional and include disclaimers.
– Current vendors should be able to verify existing contracts and accounts.
– Government records and business registrations should be accessible online for free or a small fee.
Visit bbb.org to report companies that falsely portray elective products or services as mandatory or urgent. For alerts on local scams that target businesses, visit BBB’s News Center or link up on facebook.com/bbbnews4u.
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