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\nAttorney General Andy Beshear issued a Scam Alert Thursday (3\/09) warning government organizations and small businesses to be cautious of a \u201cbusiness email compromise\u201d scam. <\/p>\n
\nAttorney General Andy Beshear issued a Scam Alert Thursday (3\/09) warning government organizations and small businesses to be cautious of a \u201cbusiness email compromise\u201d scam. <\/p>\n
Several reports of the scam have recently been reported in central and eastern Kentucky, with losses totaling more than $8,000. <\/p>\n
The scam is carried out when a con artist creates a spoof employee email account or hacks into a legitimate account and sends an email to another employee asking him or her to initiate an emergency wire fund transfer.<\/p>\n
Beshear said company leaders, as well as those who oversee spending are most usually the targets of the scam.<\/p>\n
According to an FBI report, the business email compromise scam is an emerging global threat and from 2013-2016, victims in the United States lost more than $960 million to this scam. <\/p>\n
Beshear\u2019s Office offers these tips from the Better Business Bureau to help protect from the scam:
\nAvoid free online email accounts by creating a company domain name and establish company email accounts.
\nReview IT security procedures and consider implementing a two-step verification process for wire transfers and for spending approvals.
\nWarn staff to be suspicious of out-of-the-ordinary emails for a spending request, especially if those emails request confidentiality or insist quick action.
\nBe careful about details shared on company websites and social media accounts. Business descriptions, hierarchical information and out-of-office details are sources of information for hackers and scammers.<\/p>\n
One of the critical missions of the Office of the Attorney General is to help Kentucky families, seniors and businesses recognize and avoid scams.<\/p>\n
Kentuckians who suspect a scam should contact the Office of the Attorney General at 502-696-5300 and fill out an online complaint form. Beshear recently issued a scam alert warning Kentuckians of IRS and tax-related identity theft scams and a Facebook customer service scam.<\/p>\n
March 5-11 is National Consumer Protection Week, and Attorney General Beshear is asking Kentuckians to take time this week to stay ahead of scammers by signing up for Scam Alerts.<\/p>\n
Scam Alerts provide Kentuckians a direct alert, including tips on how to avoid new and trending scams reported in Kentucky. To enroll, text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or enroll online at ag.ky.gov\/scams and select text message or email alert.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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