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The New Norm

Scam of the Week: Phishing Attacks Using Better Benefits and Pay Raise Bait

We suggest you send the following to your employees, friends and family. Feel free to copy/paste/edit:

ALERT: Internet criminals are now sending phishing attacks related to benefits enrollment and potential pay raises. So, when you get any email or perhaps even a robo-call from "HR" about your "2020 benefits" or "next year pay raise", do not click or open any attachments, but report these suspects email to the IT department. In case you have questions about your benefits or pay, pick up the phone call the HR department using the regular, correct extension.

NEVER click on any link in these emails, or "reply" and attach personal information because both the "From" and the "Reply" email address may be spoofed and you would send confidential information to criminals. Think Before You Click.


Here is the blog post with example screenshots and links:
https://blog.knowbe4.com/heads-up-scam-of-the-week-phishing-attacks-using-better-benefits-and-pay-raise-bait

BEWARE: Equifax scam to gather your information

Internet bad guys are now trying to trick you into filing an Equifax claim and get a $125 payment because your personal data was in the Equifax data breach. They are sending phishing attacks that look like they come from Equifax and when you click on the links, you wind up on a fake website that looks like it's Equifax, but will try to steal your personal information. Don't fall for it.

if you want to file a claim, go the legit FTC website and click on the blue "File a Claim" button. The website will check your eligibility for that claim, not everyone's information was compromised. Here is the legitimate link to the FTC site:
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/equifax-data-breach-settlement

Beware Misleading Filing Solicitations

colorado secretary of state

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Serena Woods
303-860-6903
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

July 26, 2019

 
 

 

Secretary of State Jena Griswold Alerts Colorado Businesses of More Misleading Filing Solicitations

The Colorado Secretary of State’s office is again alerting small business owners about more potentially misleading notices requesting an extra fee for a third party to file business documents. The Secretary of State’s office has continued to receive reports of third parties sending additional deceptive and misleading solicitations to Colorado businesses. The Colorado Secretary of State maintains an easy-to-use online filing system for businesses. Use of a third party to complete filings with the Secretary of State is not required.

The newest versions of these solicitations offer to obtain a "Certificate of Good Standing" or a "Certificate of Existence" from the Secretary of State’s office for a fee. Any business can currently download a Certificate of Good Standing for free from the Secretary of State website. In addition, the office does not offer anything called a Certificate of Existence. Another misleading solicitation offers to file a "Statement Curing Delinquency" with the office to bring a business back into good standing. In addition to the required state filing fee, the form requires payment of a “processing fee”.

These misleading solicitations may:

  • Appear similar to a government form.
  • Cite specific Colorado statutes.
  • Contain your business entity’s actual business ID number and date of formation, as reflected in the Secretary of State’s business records.
  • Contain a “Customer ID Number” that does not match a number given to you by a State or Federal Agency.
  • Contain a warning to make sure that the form’s instructions are followed exactly when completing the form.
  • Require a fee.
  • Contain a due date for your response.

Please be advised that the Colorado Secretary of State’s office does not send these solicitations. Samples of the misleading notice are attached. The Secretary of State’s office does not mail out business filing forms, and compliance with these notices is not required.

All business filings are filed online on our website. Business owners can find instructions to easily and directly file business forms on the Secretary of State’s website under the Business Organizations heading.

“Once again we are seeing people trying to profit off of misleading and unnecessary solicitations to business owners. Our office takes pride in having an easy-to-use and affordable business filing system, which is why we are alerting business owners about these third-party solicitations,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

In order to receive advance notice of when Periodic Reports, Trademark renewals, or Trade Name renewals are due, business owners can sign up online for free email notifications. Additionally, business owners can visit www.sos.state.co.us to verify their business status, file a form or obtain a free certification. The Secretary of State posts alerts and notices about misleading filings here: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/business/alert_notices.html.

 

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