Industry Scams
The advance-fee setups, the fake approvals, the contracts written to trap you.
Industry Scams
She wrote the $6,480 check in gel ink. The thieves just printed a new one.
Twelve checks went into the mailbox Friday, and two fakes hit the account by Monday. Here's why gel pens don't stop this one, and what does.
Industry Scams
"Full PPO, no deductible, $129 a month." The fine print said "not insurance."
Open Enrollment is here, and so are ads selling discount cards as "comprehensive" health coverage. Here's how a self-employed owner spots one before handing over a card number.
Industry Scams
"Put in $5,000 before Tuesday. Get $10,000 back when he wins."
A text promises a 2x payout if you pool $5,000 for a candidate before Election Day. There is no pool. Here are the FBI-flagged red flags and what to do before or after you pay.
Industry Scams
"Your QuickBooks payment failed." The only fake part was the phone number.
An email says your QuickBooks payment failed and lists a number to call. The caller asks for a verification code. Here is how the fake QuickBooks support call works and what to do.
Industry Scams
The "fire marshal" fined her $1,850. He sent a driver for the cash.
A caller says your hood system failed inspection and the $1,850 fine is due by 4 PM, paid at a Bitcoin ATM or to a driver. Here is how the fake fire marshal call works and what to…
Industry Scams
The "GSA" wanted $1,295 to keep her vendor status. GSA doesn't charge that.
Scammers posing as GSA demanded $1,295 to keep a small vendor's status. GSA doesn't charge that fee. Here's how the fake works and how to spot it.
Industry Scams
"I switched banks, can you update my deposit?" His $1,912 paycheck went to a stranger.
An owner updates an employee's direct deposit from one friendly email, and his $1,912 paycheck lands in a stranger's account. Here's how payroll diversion works and how to stop it.
Industry Scams
The "FTC" told her to Google the police. The police were in on it.
A groomer gets a call from the "FTC" saying her business number is tied to overseas scams and will be shut off. The FTC warned on October 22, 2026 that this script is a scam.
Industry Scams
"Your license is suspended at 5 pm" The caller ID said it was the state.
An electrician gets a call from his state licensing agency's real number, saying his license is suspended at 5 pm unless he pays a fine. Indiana warned on October 23, 2026 that…
Industry Scams
The email really came from Facebook. The scam was in the name.
A food truck owner gets a real Facebook email warning her Page will be disabled in 24 hours. Meta says scammers are hiding phishing links inside business partner requests, so the…
Industry Scams
"It's me, from my new number." He bought $1,500 in gift cards for a fake boss.
A new hire gets a text from the "owner" asking for gift cards before their first full shift. The FTC says scammers watch hiring posts to find new employees, and Ohio's AG just…
Industry Scams
A 6-digit code to unlock a "state" document. The code was the bait.
An email from your Secretary of State says a secure document is waiting, with a personal access code to unlock it. Connecticut just warned businesses it is phishing built to steal…
Industry Scams
"Your power goes off in 45 minutes." Pay by gift card, or the walk-in fridge dies.
Real utilities don't demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection, and no legitimate utility asks for gift cards, prepaid cards or Zelle.
Industry Scams
"You're owed an $850 credit." Just email us your merchant statement first.
If they're your processor, they already have your statement.
Industry Scams
Her trademark was 2 days old. The fake USPTO already had her serial number.
If it's not in TSDR, it's not from the USPTO.
Industry Scams
Nine 1-star reviews by lunch. Then a text: "$150 each to delete them."
Fake 1-star reviews pile up, then a text demands $150 each to delete them. Red flags, what to do, and where to report review extortion.
Industry Scams
The check was $4,500 too big. "Just Zelle my painter the rest."
A client overpays with a cashier's check and asks you to Zelle the extra to his painter. Red flags, what to do, and where to report it.
Industry Scams
"Your register took fake $100s." The deputy on the phone wasn't a deputy.
A caller posing as a deputy says your register took counterfeit $100s, then sends staff off with the cash. Nobody leaves with the drawer because of a phone call.
Industry Scams
The $89 "office supplies" invoice nobody ordered. Accounting almost paid it.
A fake $89 invoice for toner or a renewal nobody ordered can slip past busy staff. Match every bill to a real order before paying. FTC and BBB tips.
Industry Scams
My Funder Read Everyone the Same Wire Number
"Then she should've been thirteenth," he said, and I could hear him smiling.
Industry Scams
She Googled her bank to check the MCA debit. The top result was the scammer.
A fake search ad for your bank can steal your login and one-time code. Log in from a bookmark or the app. FBI and DOJ tips.
Industry Scams
He paid the $14,800 invoice. The vendor never got paid.
A vendor "updated ACH" email can redirect a real invoice. Call a number you already trust before you pay. FTC and Secret Service tips.
Industry Scams
I Funded the Man Who Stole His Bees
"I'd brightened them so the funder could see better."
Industry Scams
They paid $250 for "loan insurance." Then "the state" wanted $400 more.
Scammers pitch a $250 "loan insurance" fee, then demand $400 more as a fake state charge. FTC red flags and what to do.
Industry Scams
He Offered Me $7,000 to Bury Her. I Passed.
"You wanted to be her dad. Let's get paper moving."
Industry Scams
The "Army" ordered 60 laptops, Net 30. The Army never ordered anything.
Fake .gov and .mil quote requests are ordering laptops on Net 30 terms and shipping them to storage units. Red flags and what to do, from the GSA watchdog.
Industry Scams
The email said her website's search bar was a wiretap. Pay $7,500.
Letters claim your website's pixel or search bar is an illegal wiretap and demand fast payment. The Texas AG's red flags and what to do before you pay.
Industry Scams
She tapped "approve." Her 214 Google reviews got a new owner.
A real Google email can hand your profile and reviews to a scammer. Red flags, what to do and how to lock your Business Profile before someone claims it.
Industry Scams
The UCC Hit Nineteen Minutes After She Said No
Her $46K wire was ready. Then a shop that never funded her filed a UCC and asked for $12K to take it down.
Industry Scams
The skid steer was $28,500. The dealer was real. The phone number wasn't.
The dealership was real. It just had nothing to do with any of it.
Industry Scams
Your $18,412 tariff refund is ready. Just scan the QR code.
Maya's money is real. It just only comes from one door.
Industry Scams
They paid $4,200 every two weeks to settle their debt. Nobody called the lender.
A real settlement comes with a letter from your lender.
Industry Scams
The $92.25 "compliance" letter for a $10 certificate
Your state doesn't need a red stamp and a QR code to bill you.
Industry Scams
Someone Faked Her Statements. He Was in Her Chair.
The money's not coming. The vape shop is coming.
Industry Scams
Your $47,500 "SBA grant" wants a $890 processing fee
A real grant does not text you money.
Industry Scams
You're preapproved for $276K.
Fake "preapproved" business loan texts and voicemails want a callback, then your bank info or a fee. FTC and BBB red flags, plus what to do.
Industry Scams
2,752 Reports. The top "collector" was your card company.
Merchants filed 2,752 reports on 1,707 numbers. Top "collector" numbers were card-company lines, spoofed or misreported. 5 checks before you block.
Getting the calls? Shut it down.
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