Beware: Phishing Emails Target COVID-19 Small Business Loans

It has come to our attention that a new email phishing or “spoofing” scheme is being sent to businesses seeking financial assistance due to COVID-19. 

The emails are an attempt to scam business owners that have applied, or are considering applying, for Paycheck Protection Program loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These emails may look legitimate and appear to come from your bank.

If you receive an email from a lending institution asking you to upload documents or provide sensitive information such as a Social Security or bank account number, we encourage you to call your bank or lending institution directly to verify its authenticity.

If you receive an email like the one described above, or one that you suspect may not be legitimate, it is important that you: 

• Do not respond to the email (No matter how authentic it looks)
• Do not click on any links in the email
• Do not open any suspicious email attachments
• Do not provide data to websites as a result of the email
• Immediately contact your lending institution to verify the request

You must remain vigilant regarding this and other phishing attempts. Hackers are using the rush to obtain loan proceeds as an opportunity to take advantage of unsuspecting business owners.

For more information about ways to maintain and improve your organization’s security, contact HORNE Cyber.