It may not be unusual to receive a text message or email from your boss.But before you assume it really is your boss contacting you, be aware the message could be from a scammer instead.In the boss scam, the bad guys first find out where you work and your boss’s name to pull this one-off. You’ll be asked to do something for your supervisor, such as purchasing gift cards for a client or wiring funds to another business.You may be told to use a company credit card or your personal funds.No matter how believable the reason sounds, always double-check before taking any action. Don’t trust unsolicited messages from unfamiliar numbers. Don’t respond to potential impersonators reaching out from a different number than your boss’s.Also, check-in with your boss. Call or email them first, using their real contact information, rather than replying to the message.If you suspect a scam, don’t reply. Replying lets scammers know they have an active phone number, and it could leave you vulnerable to future attacks.If you think this scam sounds far-fetched, the News 8 On Your Side team knows two people who have been approached with this scam. In one case, the scam cost a business $4,000 because a company credit card was used.
It may not be unusual to receive a text message or email from your boss.
But before you assume it really is your boss contacting you, be aware the message could be from a scammer instead.
In the boss scam, the bad guys first find out where you work and your boss’s name to pull this one-off.
You’ll be asked to do something for your supervisor, such as purchasing gift cards for a client or wiring funds to another business.
You may be told to use a company credit card or your personal funds.
No matter how believable the reason sounds, always double-check before taking any action.
Don’t trust unsolicited messages from unfamiliar numbers. Don’t respond to potential impersonators reaching out from a different number than your boss’s.
Also, check-in with your boss. Call or email them first, using their real contact information, rather than replying to the message.
If you suspect a scam, don’t reply. Replying lets scammers know they have an active phone number, and it could leave you vulnerable to future attacks.
If you think this scam sounds far-fetched, the News 8 On Your Side team knows two people who have been approached with this scam. In one case, the scam cost a business $4,000 because a company credit card was used.