Let’s face it—scammers are getting smarter all the time, and small businesses are a growing target. Whether it’s sneaky emails, fake invoices, or too-good-to-be-true offers, scams can hit your business where it hurts.
The good news? With the right knowledge and a few smart habits, you can protect yourself and your team. A great place to start is the FMA website Scams | Financial Markets Authority where you’ll find up-to-date info on scams and how to report anything suspicious – especially if you think you’ve been targeted by an investment or financial scam.

Here’s a quick guide to the most common scams, what they look like, and how to avoid them.

Phishing Emails
These are emails that look like they’re from someone you trust – maybe a bank, supplier, or even a team member – but they contain dangerous links or attachments designed to steal your data.
Tip: Always double-check where an email really came from before clicking anything. If something feels off, it probably is.

Fake Invoice Scams
Scammers send invoices that look totally legit, hoping they’ll get paid without anyone noticing the details don’t quite match up.
Tip: Set up a process to verify every invoice – especially new ones. Touch base with your suppliers if anything seems unusual.

Business Email Compromise
This is where scammers pretend to be your CEO, manager, or a colleague, asking for a money transfer or sensitive info. These requests often feel urgent and convincing because the scammer may have hacked into someone’s actual email account.
Tip: Have strong email security in place and encourage your team to double-check unexpected or high-risk requests.

Tech Support Scams
An email or pop-up might claim your computer has issues and offer a quick fix – but instead of helping, they install malware or charge you for unnecessary services.
Tip: If you didn’t ask for tech support, don’t accept it. Only work with trusted IT providers you know.

Fake Business Opportunities
Scams offering amazing deals or new partnerships often come with a catch – like an upfront payment or a request for your personal info.
Tip: Do your research and be cautious with any deal that sounds too good to be true (because it probably is).

How to Keep Your Business Scam-Smart
Stopping scams starts with awareness. Here’s how to help your team stay sharp and avoid getting caught out:

• • Use approval processes for payments

Require sign-off from more than one person for large transactions – it’s a simple but effective step.

• • Encourage a “double-check” culture

If an email or deal feels off, your team should feel confident in checking with someone else before moving forward.

• • Run regular scam-awareness training

Use real-life examples so it feels relevant and easy to understand.

• • Keep it visible

Posters, quick reminders in newsletters, and even screensavers can help keep scam awareness top of mind.

Cyber Insurance Can Help
If something does go wrong, cyber insurance can be a real lifesaver. It won’t stop the scam, but it can massively help reduce the damage and give you “piece of mind” knowing you have a team in your corner. Contact us so we can find out what kind of cover is right for you.

A Quick Heads-Up – This blog is for general info only – it’s not financial advice. Your business is unique, so contact us to find out what kind of cover is right for you.

JenBro April, 2025