Ohio Issues Scam Alert for Businesses
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Businesses should be wary if they receive emails that look as if they are from the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, warns Ohio's attorney general, Mike DeWine.
The FTC has advised that scammers have sent thousands of these phony emails that appear to be from the commission with the claim that consumers have filed complaints about their businesses.
“Just as scams targeting citizens are unacceptable, so are those that aim to harm Ohio businesses,” DeWine said. “Everyone needs to be informed and alert to prevent themselves from becoming victims.”
Businesses can protect themselves by not clicking on links in any unexpected or suspicious emails, DeWine said. More information about this scam can be found at http://www.business.ftc.gov.
DeWine highlighted other scams that businesses have faced, wich include:
- Business directory scams: Scammers pretend to be associated with the local city government, chamber, or yellow pages. Using high-pressure tactics, they call saying it’s time for the business to renew ad space in the local community map or directory and ask for credit-card numbers over the phone. The ads do not and the scammer steals money using the credit card number given.
- Government regulation scams: Scammers charge businesses a fee to help them comply with a new government regulation. They might even pretend to be the state secretary of state and ask for payment to ensure compliance. Businesses in Ohio can receive free information and assistance from their local or state governmental agencies.
- Fake invoice scams: A business receives an invoice for a product or service never ordered. The scammer hopes the business will pay the invoice before realizing it never ordered or received the products.
Complaints can be filed by calling 800 282 0515.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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