Online scams are rampant, there are so many scams that seem to circulate targeting small businesses. And as a small business owner, we all understand the most valuable thing we have can be our time.

The best recommendation for avoiding scams is to trust your instincts, from the old saying, if it ‘sounds too good to be true’, then it probably is… Its ok to reach out and ask for advice if it is something you feel isn’t legitimate. As advice to our clients, we always recommend that if they get a letter, a call, or an email they aren’t sure of, then contact us, and we can look it over. Typically 90% of the time we have clients contact us to verify something they don’t feel is legitimate, then it is indeed a scam.

One of the common scams that has been around for more than a few years now, is a letter that your domain is up for renewal, from a company that isn’t even your registrar. To avoid scams like this, its good to keep records of what services you have online, as well as your logins. Know what domains you own, and if it is an online service, make sure you keep credit cards updated for auto-renewal.

If your gut tells you something is not right, you are more than likely correct. It can be worth your time to take a few extra minutes and research what you feel is suspicious. There are are a lot of online resources for validating your suspicions. Something as simple as googling a name or phone number can bring up a wealth of information.

Even online forms on your website can be set to capture a users IP address. If they claim they are in Oklahoma with a local area code, but after using an online IP tracker, it states their ip address is in Pakistan, that can be a big red flag.

To avoid scams, the best advice is to use all available resources. Whether its researching to find out if a bill is legitimate, or contacting an IT professional for advice. In the long run, the best way to avoid scams, is to trust your instincts, and take precautionary measures to protect your business.