Brain Power

BRAIN POWER Keeping you and your association financially safe during COVID-19 By: Kate Cole, CAE, AAP, Executive Director, Financial Retailers Protection Association

We are in a new storm with many different threats. While you think you’re staying safe from a virus, you may not be safe from bad actors. Now is the time to be vigilant and educated on the bad actors’ scams. Below is information on scams now being seen and ways for associations and individuals alike to protect ourselves.

Associations • If you have applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP) make sure you are ONLY responding to emails from the bank that you originally contacted. Look at the email address closely. When you do respond to requests, ask for details about the loan for which you applied, the amount, and the date you submitted the form. You do NOT have to submit a credit card, send funds, or pay for anything before you are approved. • With more of your staff working remotely, make sure they know who to call if they have technical problems. Bad actors are creating emails offering to sell or give away tech support. Some offer first hour free but then request a card on file. Don’t give access to your computer to unknown persons. • Continue to monitor your website for attempted hacking. Make sure your staff knows what to do if they receive a request for an emergency wire transfer. To ensure a wire transfer request is valid, forward the email back to the sender using an address on file. Wait for confirmation from the account holder. This step will help to ensure it is a valid request and their email has not been compromised. Individuals • All US Citizens that are qualified to receive a stimulus check will receive one. If you receive an email or call telling you that they can get your money to you faster, it’s a scam. If you receive a text message regarding the status of your stimulus check, it’s a scam. Do not click on it. • The federal government does not have any mandatory COVID-19 testing currently. If you receive a call or email saying that you have been chosen for mandatory testing in order to keep your benefit, it is a scam. Do not, under any circumstances, let anyone into your home or business for testing. They will come in groups of two to four. You may be held hostage, and they will steal items from you as well as any personal information they can get you to provide. • Grandparents and the elderly are being targeted. Individuals, pretending to be a person’s grandchild, are calling to claim they have COVID-19 and need funds for life saving treatments. It is a scam. • With so many people out of work, the phone line and email inboxes with all state unemployment offices are overloaded. Bad actors are calling people, knowing that so many are now unemployed, asking for funds to put them on the top of the list for their benefits. It’s a scam!

If you feel that you’ve been a victim of any Internet scam, contact www.ftc.gov/complaint and www.ic3.gov.

association appreciation week Coming September 14-18!

We’re going to make this week simple - no hard decisions required, just enjoy and know how much we appreciate you. Associations North thanks YOU, our members, for the innovative ideas, creative solutions and the difference you continue to make everyday. Watch for details to come and how to participate. Psst... Look forward to mindfulness + wellness activities, inspiring content, free resources, prizes and more! SPONSORS