Bytestart - The online small business portal
Search over 1700 Articles!


Comprehensive Online Business Insurance
- Tailored PI, Office, Public and Employers' Liability Insurance.
- Are you covered? Read our Essential PI Guide.
- Get a Quote and buy online in minutes.


Free guide to combat fraud for small businesses

 print  e-mail 

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

  1. Identify business partners and directors
  2. Confirm fax and telephone numbers
  3. Never accept hand written order forms or faxes
  4. Confirm the trading address of customers and suppliers
  5. Ask for original headed company paper
  6. Don’t assume information provided is correct – always double check and follow up references
  7. Are you sure they are who they say they are?
  8. Check that the telephone area code is relevant to where the business claims to be trading from
  9. Can they provide trade or bank references?
  10. Are all references truly independent?
  11. Check for any connections to previous companies with similar or identical names
  12. 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



Latest articles in Latest News
 
Lobby group concerned over burden of additional business rates
[September 5, 2008] A leading business group has expressed its concern that small companies are not being protected from increased business rate costs.
 
Olympic benefit for small businesses?
[August 28, 2008] As the Olympic torch is handed over to London following the excellent Beijing games, new research suggests that entrepreneurs are unsure whether the 2012 event will benefit smaller companies.
 
BCC forecasts recession is a distinct possibility
[August 19, 2008] The British Chambers of Commerce has published its quarterly economic forecast, which predicts a distinct possibility of recession for the UK economy and foresees turbulent times for British businesses.
 
Many small business owners won't go on holiday this year
[August 19, 2008] A recent study suggests that 42% of small business owners have too much work on to take a holiday this year, with a similar number unable to take a break when they really wanted to.
 
Entrepreneurs slow of the mark with adoption of "green" behaviour
[August 18, 2008] Entrepreneurs in the UK have been slow to recognise the business advantages of adopting "green" behaviour according to a new report by business advisors Deloitte.
 
From 'Dog Psychologists' to 'Badger Consultants' - weird businesses are on the rise
[August 14, 2008] It seems that businesses are specialising in ever-stranger niches. Badger consultants, dog psychologists and vibration consultants are just three of the more unusual businesses that have joined more traditional British businesses such as plumbers and painters.
 
Direct Debit has smaller carbon footprint than cheques!
[August 11, 2008] Taking "green" news to a different level, a new report has found that Direct Debit payments are "greener" than cheques, as the carbon emissions generated by paper cheques are 65 times greater than the paperless direct debit payment!
 
Entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downturn
[August 1, 2008] You can't go a day without mention of the "credit crunch" in the media. But despite the gloomy outlook for the economy, a recent study suggests that over half of all small business owners have no intention of changing their expansion plans.
 
Small business and academic worlds closer than ever
[July 28, 2008] Over the past five years, the links between the academic and small business worlds have increased, according to a survey carried out by the University of Nottingham.
 
Small businesses warned over HMRC tax scam
[July 3, 2008] The ICAEW is warning businesses to be careful when providing personal financial information following an email credit card scam.
 
 Our Partners
Hiscox Office Insurance
Instant Online Quotation
Limited or Umbrella Co.?
Ask Danbro today
Bibby Financial Services
Funding your business
Click HereAccept Online Payments
PayPoint.net Solutions
2 Years FREE Banking
Alliance & Leicester
MORE THAN Business
10% off PI Insurance
Free Day-to-Day Banking
Abbey - 0800 085 3099
Public Liability Insurance
Get online cover now

Click Here

 Key Services
Company Formation
Instant online setup!
£20 Free Postage
& 30 Day No Ties Trial
Cashflow Problems?
Try Invoice Financing
Phone and Broadband
Great deals for business
Compare Insurance Deals
Essential insurance cover
Virtual Office Service
For full details click here.

Click Here

Key Start Up Guides

Start Up Services

Past News Archives
1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : 8 : 9 : 10 : 11 : 12 : 13 : 14 : 15 : 16 : 17 : 18 : 19 : 20

Click Here


 




















Free Bytestart News feeds