When a scammer sends a fake invoice, and your intern almost pays it... that’s not just a bad day at the office—that’s a full-blown financial disaster.
In this publication, we're shining a spotlight on a troubling trend sweeping Arkansas: scammers targeting small businesses with increasingly convincing schemes. From fake vendors to hijacked emails, these scams could hit any business, big or small. Let’s break it down.
Scammers Are Targeting Arkansas Small Businesses With Fake Invoices, Impostor Emails & Tech Lies
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is warning businesses across the state about a sharp rise in scams that use deception and digital manipulation to steal money and sensitive data. The tactics range from phishing emails to fraudulent tech support calls—and they’re only getting more sophisticated.
How It Works:
Scammers are running several schemes, all designed to fool your employees and drain your business:
- Phishing: You get an email or text that looks like it’s from a trusted coworker, but it’s really a scammer trying to steal login credentials or bank details.
- Tech Support Scams: A fake rep from “Microsoft” or another tech company says you have a virus and needs remote access—bad idea.
- Fake Invoices: Scammers send invoices for products you never ordered, hoping someone in accounting doesn’t double-check.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC): A scammer hacks or spoofs a real business email and requests payment for a fake invoice.
- Business Impersonation: They create a website or email address that mimics your business, then scam your customers.
Who’s Targeted:
• Small businesses—especially those without strict internal controls or cybersecurity protocols
• Arkansas businesses—but these scams are common nationwide
• Employees in finance, operations, or customer service—anyone likely to receive invoices or tech requests
Real-Life Red Flag:
In response to a surge of reports, AG Tim Griffin is urging Arkansas businesses to step up defenses. “These scams come in many forms,” he said, “but they all rely on tricking employees and exploiting weak verification processes.”
Why You Should Care:
One wrong click or an unverified payment could cost your business thousands of dollars—and potentially damage your reputation if your customers are affected. These scams don’t just target the careless—they rely on your team being busy, trusting, and unprepared.
The emotional stress, data exposure, and financial loss that follow a scam attack can leave long-term damage.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Train Your Team: Teach employees to recognize suspicious emails, invoices, and tech support calls.
• Always Verify: If someone asks for money or access, call back using known contact details—not the number in the message.
• Keep Systems Updated: Use current antivirus software and disable remote access unless it’s truly necessary.
• Vendor Verification: Only pay invoices that come through verified vendors in your system.
• Monitor Your Brand: Regularly search for fake websites or profiles impersonating your business.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip: “Never trust an invoice you didn’t expect—double-check every time.”
Pro Tip: Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all email accounts. It’s one of the simplest ways to stop scammers in their tracks.
Update: The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office is now offering free scam alerts for businesses. Sign up via their official website to stay ahead of new threats.
Stay safe, stay informed,
Keywords
- Phishing Scam: A fake message designed to trick you into giving up personal info.
- Tech Support Scam: A fraudster pretending to be tech help to gain access to your computer or data.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC): When a scammer uses a real or spoofed company email to request money or sensitive data.
- Fake Invoice Scam: A fraudulent bill for products or services you didn’t order.
- Business Impersonation: When scammers create fake versions of real businesses to steal from customers or partners.
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