Kirklees businesses have been urged to make sure they don’t end up as April fools.
The Business Crime Reduction Centre is hosting a free Masterclass – “Don’t be fooled in April” – on April 1 for businesses seeking advice to prevent them falling foul of scams and cybercrime.
BCRC is warning businesses and individuals about a new domain name scam, which offers first refusal on new, potentially lucrative web addresses.
Fraudsters are calling businesses using high-pressure sales techniques to con them into paying excessive fees for domain names by claiming a competitor is just about to buy the one of interest to them.
In reality, the domain name is either non-existent or so worthless as to be impossible to sell.
Domain name scams have existed for some time, but as more than 100 new domain name extensions have gone live - with another 1,000 being released this year - it has re-opened the scam for the opportunist fraudster.
The scam varies, but focuses on the eagerly-anticipated domain name extensions of .london, .ninja and .cool.
The aim is to panic people into impulse buying before considering the options.
BCRC cyber security specialist Mark Connell said: “Catching someone off-guard with an offer too good to miss generates an instant response. Provoking this reaction is a common scam technique.
Businesses should also beware of emails stating similar messages and false renewal letters that appear to be for a business’ actual domain name.”
Anyone receiving this type of call should report it to Action Fraud using their online fraud reporting tool or calling 0300 123 2040.
To register for free to the Masterclass in Sheffield call 0114 2751283, visit www.bcrc-uk.org or email events@bcrc-uk.org.
The Business Crime Reduction Centre is delivered in partnership with Yorkshire-based charity People United Against Crime and the police forces of South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside.
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