Watch Out!

Hello, QuickBooks Community. Well, I guess it's safe to say we're all pros at this quarantine thing by now.  We've all had to adjust how we do things during this pandemic. Unfortunately, scammers have also adjusted how they do things during this time. As I was watching the news today, the reporter mentioned that there had been an increase in scams. Scammers see this time of uncertainty as an opportunity to prey on those who may be vulnerable. So what can we do to protect ourselves? Here are just a few things to watch out for:

First, a lot of these scammers are pretending to work for the government. These scammers have been contacting people through emails, over the phone, and even social media, pretending to have information on their financial relief or any COVID related information. Believe it or not, persons are taking this bait and sharing their personal information with these hackers. To protect yourself and your business, please don't give out personal information in this way. For extra security measures, it would be best to verify with the IRS or view an official website and report any suspected fraud.

Second, be aware that scammers are also pretending to fundraise for a cure. While the search for a cure is important and does require funding, please research any organization before donating. Some tips to researching different companies or agencies are by seeing what they're about, past projects, and their goals, to give you a better picture of what you are about to invest in.

 Your local health department and government agencies may have more info about scams happening in your area, as well as local causes you can support to help fight Covid-19. I hope this was somewhat insightful to you guys. Anyway, be safe and be well, my community friends.