3.29.24 – KWCH – WICHITA, Kan. – By Keith Grant
The Better Business Bureau is warning small businesses to be on the lookout for scams. Much like individuals, the BBB said scammers are likely to strike small businesses via email.
osh Planos, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations with the Better Business Bureau, said a Kansas City, Mo., business filed a scam tracker report after receiving an invoice that appeared to be from a government agency. The invoice billed the business for IT work that had been outsourced.
It turned out to be a scam.
Planos said when people see what they believe to be from the government, they act quickly, sometimes putting the business in a tight spot.
“The minute you sign up with a vendor, ask certain questions about, you know, ‘What can I expect on a monthly basis? Is it quarterly or annually?’ ‘What are the terms and conditions?’ ‘Who is a good point of contact at this company for me to reach out to if I have questions,’” said Planos.
Planos said these types of scams happen year-round but to be on the lookout at the end of the year.
“That’s how the budgeting cycle works. In October, there are a lot of folks creating their budgets for the upcoming year, and maybe you’re less likely to give that invoice a second glance,” said Planos.