National Trading Standards has launched Businesses Against Scams – a free online training tool to help protect businesses, employees and customers from costly scams.
With businesses having to change or stop their trading practices, criminals are seizing the opportunity to target employees who are remote working and isolated from their colleagues.
A number of recent scams have seen criminals impersonating government officials and senior workers in order to put pressure on employees to give out sensitive information or make payments.
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With this increased risk, National Trading Standards are encouraging businesses make use of Businesses Against Scams.
Louise Baxter, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team, said: “Criminals will use every opportunity they can to defraud innocent people. They will continue to exploit every angle of this national crisis and we want businesses to be prepared. We’ve launched Businesses Against Scams as a free tool for organisations to help them protect their business, their staff and their customers.”
Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “Covid-19 has presented new opportunities for businesses to be exploited. Criminals are expert at impersonating people, businesses and the police. They spend hours researching a business for their scams, hoping an employee might let their guard down just for a moment. Business must be vigilant at all times. Never rush, act cautiously and always challenge.
“The Businesses Against Scams initiative empowers businesses and their employees to take a stand against scams by equipping them with the advice and knowledge on how to identify and prevent a scam.”
Businesses can take the training and sign up at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/BAS
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