When you run a business, you pour hours of work into ensuring you can make your company successful, not only for yourself but for those who rely on you. That’s why discovering that your business has been impacted by fraud can be devastating. Unfortunately, navigating this process can be incredibly difficult. As such, it’s in your best interest to explore your legal options with the assistance of an Atlanta business fraud lawyer. The following blog explores what you should know about these complicated matters.
What Schemes Are Used to Commit Business Fraud?
Business fraud occurs anytime someone, whether it be an individual or corporation, takes steps to gain unauthorized access to your systems, obtain money, or impersonate your company. You may also find that fraud can come from inside your organization, with employees or contractors taking steps to steal for their own personal gain.
When fraud comes from outside of your organization, it can take on a number of different forms. Common examples of outsider fraud that can impact your business include sending fake or altered invoices, government impersonation, tech support scams, phishing emails, and even credit card processing scams. Additionally, you may find that if you want to work with a vendor or other company through a partnership, they may change their numbers to make their company look more profitable, thus enticing you to sign a deal together.
Common examples of insider fraud include payroll fraud, insurance fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and forgery. These instances can be particularly upsetting, as the perpetrator may be an employee you trusted.
Business fraud can have a serious impact on your company, as you can suffer from serious financial losses, damage to your reputation, and a considerable disruption to your day-to-day operations.
What Steps Should I Take if I’ve Been Impacted?
If you believe your business has been impacted by fraudulent activity, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and help your company recover. Generally, the first thing you should do is file a report with the Federal Trade Commission. By providing as much information as possible about the scheme, the FTC will provide steps you can take to protect yourself and your company. Once you have this report, you should contact your local law enforcement agency as they can help conduct an investigation into the matter. Finally, you should contact your financial institution to report the fraud and seek assistance in recovering funds.
If your business has been defrauded, navigating the recovery process can be incredibly difficult. That is why it is critical to consider working with an experienced business fraud attorney with AB Law. Our team understands how devastating scams and schemes can be for your business, which is why our team will do everything in our power to assist you. From conducting a thorough investigation and helping you secure your company to prevent fraud in the future to representing you in court and fighting for the best possible outcome, our team is dedicated to you. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you during these difficult times.
