Did you know?
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is one of the most common threats today. It employs tactics like impersonating an executive, HR, or a trusted vendor to initiate fraudulent transfers of money. According to the FBI, $1.7 billion was lost to BEC in 2019 alone.
Here are tips from the FBI to stay secure:
Be Skeptical
Last-minute changes in wiring instructions or recipient account information must be verified.
Don’t Click It
Verify any changes and information via the contact on file—do not contact the vendor through the number provided in the email.
Double-check That URL
Ensure the URL in the email is associated with the business it claims to be from.
Spelling Counts
Be alert to misspelled hyperlinks in the actual domain name.
It’s a Match
Verify the email address used to send emails, especially when using a mobile or handheld device, by ensuring the sender’s email address appears to match who it’s coming from.
Pay Attention
Often there are clues with Business Email Compromise:
- An employee who does not normally interact with the CEO receives an urgent request from them.
- You see data that shows an employee is in one location at 1:00pm but halfway around the globe 10 minutes later.
- You see activity from an employee who is supposed to be on leave.
And, As Always, if You See Something, Say Something
If something looks awry, report it to us or a supervisor. And if you have been a victim of BEC, file a detailed complaint with http://www.ic3.gov.
