Cyber Crime Costing Small Businesses Millions

Cyber security is not just a crime perpetrated on the federal government or large businesses. It is a crime that does not discriminate and small businesses are now the low hanging fruit for the fraudsters. After all, the perpetrators know small businesses think they are invincible or that they do not have anything the hackers want. Well, as we can see from reports such as the link below, that is not true. Fraudsters will go after anyone that is vulnerable and right now, small businesses are it.

Please spend a $1.00 now in prevention methods to save $1000.00 in the future. It will save your confidential information....personal and business from falling into the wrong hands creating the aggravation you do not need not to mention time and money.

Prevent this Crime.

Cyber Crime Costing Small Businesses Millions

Cyber Security ---- Another issue plaguing our small, mid sized and large businesses

We are not getting any breaks are we. These fraudsters are making sure we do not sleep at night. Well, isn't time we give them a taste of their own medicine? Let's be proactive by taking one step at a time. Register today at mgaskin1.eventbrite.com for a workshop that will start you on your way to giving the fraudsters what they are dishing out to us. Also click on the link below, read and apply the suggestions to your business. Every little bit helps. 

http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/policies-protocols/fsb-calls-for-action-on-cyber-security-1152839

Fraud is a Violent Crime - Prevent It

Virginia Business - Opinion: Employee embezzlement on the rise — What business owners can do

It is on the Rise but you will not see it on American Greed. It is happening more than you know.

Small and mid sized businesses, you are the fraudsters dreams come true and their favorite lowest hanging fruit. Protect yourselves and your businesses. Register at mgaskin1.eventbrite.com to learn how to mitigate and prevent this problem. You may have great employees but as Reagan said Trust but Verify.


Virginia Business - Opinion: Employee embezzlement on the rise — What business owners can do

CHARGE BACKS, A QUIET BUT EFFECTIVE  FRAUD TACTIC

This scheme has always being in existence and mostly perpetrated by the amateur fraudster. However, the experienced fraudsters are now cashing in on it by identifying and utilizing the amateur fraudster. Why? because it is one of the easiest ways to rob you of your hard earned revenue and profits. You are hit at least twice; first hit comes from the perpetrator and the second is from the bank charges incurred for the charge backs. All or most banks will charge you if a credit card company rejects a credit card transaction processed by your business. 

Here is a short scenario of a  case I worked on. It involved several mid sized grocery stores. The customer of the grocery stores would come in once every two weeks and purchase over a hundred dollars worth of groceries from the grocery stores and two days later would call the bank and the police to make a report that his credit card was stolen. 

He would complete an affidavit, the bank would do their normal due diligence and after three days his card is re-issued and money is given back to him. In the meantime, the money is charged back to the grocery stores. Because of the amount, the grocery stores paid very little attention to the accumulation of the losses. But at the end of the year they realized there was but so much of that money the IRS was willing to allow them to write off. They also realized at that point that  it was cutting deeply  into their profits as well both in cash and shrinkage of goods sold. The money he charged for the groceries was refunded every single time and charged back to the store. That meant the grocery store had to give back that money to the credit card company without recovering their groceries.

This customer stole over $300,000 in a year and a half before he was caught. Each grocery store lost at least $50,000 or more to this scam.  So, business owners, please read the article, take notes, implement the suggestions and call me if you need any questions answered. You do not have to be a grocery store to experience this scam. If you take credit cards or checks as a form of payment for your services or goods you are vulnerable and trust me soon enough you will fall victim.

Fraud is a Violent Crime- Prevent IT

http://www.business2community.com/finance/fighting-against-chargebacks-detecting-and-preventing-fraud-0493736

Fraudulent Pay Roll Tax Companies.

This is a problem business owners. We may have to take back this process and begin doing it our selves. Yes,  one more thing to worry about because greed and lack of respect and morals has once again found its way into some pay roll tax companies we trust to help us out.

If you are a Maryland, DC, Virginia business owner, this should be particularly important to you. Click on Link below. Also, remember to register the workshop on the 23rd of May. Register at mgaskin1.eventbrite.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8mKd5xUs0I

Fraud is a Violent Crime - Prevent It

Former Fried Frank Employee Confesses to Stealing $376,000 in Toner Cartridges

Hello Readers,

Here is typical example of a Trusted Employee Gone Bad example. One of the things Reagan said that made a lot of sense to me was the phrase TRUST AND VERIFY. This employee was with the company for 10 years. For a small business I understand how expensive toners are. My tiny printer/copier/fax toner costs $79.99 and has to be replaced at least once a month. I can't imagine someone stealing that much from my company. It puts a huge dent in the profits of a company like mine and any company for that matter. This type of scheme falls under the umbrella of Asset Misappropriation, subcategory of Inventory Larceny. Asset Misappropriation can be the nemesis of small and mid sized businesses. Thus it is extremely important that organizations do all they can to prevent it and or mitigate it.

On the 23rd of May, we will discuss the various forms of fraud SMEs face everyday and what to do to prevent it or mitigate it. Please register at mgaskin1.eventrite.com. The stealing of Toner cartridges could have been avoided if there was oversight by the company. Trust and Verify!!!!!!!!!

Former Fried Frank Employee Confesses to Stealing $376,000 in Toner Cartridges

FRAUD IS A VIOLENT CRIME = PREVENT IT

Dear Readers,

Hope all is well with you. So sorry I missed you at the workshop. It was an eye opening workshop and participants were just so happy to walk away with processes and procedures they can implement immediately within their organizations to protect themselves from becoming victims.

But not to worry. I am conducting another one on the 23rd of May 2013 because some participants sent me emails asking whether I will have another one soon. So here it is. The 23rd of May 2013 there will be another one and hope to see you there. You will be delighted you came. Please register at mgaskin1.eventbrite.com as soon as you can because seats are limited. Now, let's get some news from the Fraud World.

Here is something interesting and yet brazen.

Facebook Shuts Down Group Offering Fraud 'Services'

I cannot stress this enough. The only person who can protect you from something like this is YOU. I understand that we cannot avoid social media, but please be diligent in responding to requests. Use every privacy measure Social Media has to offer. Better yet minimize the amount of information you put on Social media. Don't put things such as your Birth Date or phone number etc on your profile. 

You will be very surprised at how just your birth date can open up so many doors for the perpetrator. It is extremely easy these days to get information on you using your birthday date. Privacy rights is becoming a thing of the past. If you do not know the person inviting you to join their group etc, or if this person was not introduced to you by someone you know, please do not accept the invitation. Accepting the invitation, gives the perpetrator access to the rest of your information. BE CAREFUL, BE DILIGENT. It pays.

http://www.hotforsecurity.com/blog/facebook-shuts-down-group-offering-fraud-services-6031.html