Stay Safe This Season: Essential Scam Prevention Tips for Small Businesses

We know the holiday season can be full of celebrations, new bookings, and year-end payments, which also means it is a prime time for scams. Security is our priority, so here are a few friendly reminders on ways to keep your Rock Paper Coin account and your business protected. 

Protect your login information and one-time passcodes (OTP)

Use a trusted, secure site like 1Password for storing passcodes rather than keeping on a computer document or phone note. Scammers may pose as familiar brands to pressure you into sharing sensitive login details. Never share your password or OTP to anyone who emails or texts you. If something feels off or unexpected, pause and verify by contacting the company directly through their official website or a known phone number.

Stay alert for phishing emails

Phishing emails and texts are designed to look legitimate, often using urgent language or prompting you to click links you didn’t request. Before interacting, always check the sender’s full email address, even small differences can signal a scam. If the domain doesn’t match the real company, avoid clicking links, downloading files, or replying. When in doubt, reach out to the company using a verified contact method.

Think before you click or download

Fraudulent holiday “deals” and look-alike websites pop up everywhere this time of year. These sites are designed to capture your personal or payment information. Before clicking, hover over the link to preview the URL and only shop or pay vendors through trusted, well-reviewed sources.

Be cautious with public Wi-Fi and QR codes

Public Wi-Fi networks and unverified QR codes can redirect you to phishing pages that capture your payment details. Use cellular data or a secure VPN when making online purchases or handling client payments, and always double-check a QR code before scanning.

Watch out for donation and charity scams

Scammers frequently pose as charities during the holidays. Only donate through trusted organizations and never let someone else “enter the amount” for you. 

We’re here to help

Your security is a top priority at Rock Paper Coin. If you ever receive a suspicious message, unexpected payment request, or anything that feels “off,” please reach out to us at [email protected] so we can take a look.

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