Free guide to combat fraud for small businesses

Fraud protection company, Equifax, is urging small companies to be vigilant against bogus businesses that target suppliers and order thousands or pounds worth of items on credit.

To help in this cause, the company has released a free advice guide - Combating ID Theft and Fraud which provides comprehensive information on the current risks to businesses from fraud, and solutions.

The concise guide outlines each of the threats to businesses, including long firm fraud, phoenix companies and company hi-jacking. Each section is followed by advice on reducing the risks, ranging from practical steps such as confirming a trading address to advice on investment in online monitoring tools. It also includes a 12-point checklist for businesses outlining key ways to reduce the risks.

The Equifax 12-point Checklist to reduce the risk of Corporate ID Theft & Fraud

Identify business partners and directors
Confirm fax and telephone numbers
Never accept hand written order forms or faxes
Confirm the trading address of customers and suppliers
Ask for original headed company paper
Don’t assume information provided is correct – always double check and follow up references
Are you sure they are who they say they are?
Check that the telephone area code is relevant to where the business claims to be trading from
Can they provide trade or bank references?
Are all references truly independent?
Check for any connections to previous companies with similar or identical names
Did they answer your call with a business name?

To obtain a free pdf copy of the Equifax Pocket Guide to Combating ID Theft and Fraud , Bytestart readers should call 0845 603 3000, and select option 1.

Posted June 12, 2008

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