Don't think you could ever be fooled into sending thousands of dollars overseas? Many businesses are...
Lately, a number of businesses have been receiving a scam email (phishing) that many users are falling for. Here's how it works:
- The con artist creates a fake email that is very similar to the CEO's email at your office. For example, my email is rgiles@agjsystems.com... so the criminal may use rgiles@agjjsystems.com (notice the extra "j").
- The crook then checks the company's website and sends an email to the CFO or Vice President that appears to come from the CEO.
- In the email, the crook asks for money to be wired to a foreign bank.
Unlike many hacks or viruses, this scam requires a considerable amount of work from the crook. However, it's worth it. I know of one business which wired over $100,000 to a foreign bank!
Take a few minutes to discuss this with your accounting department, and be careful about wire transfers.
