#Knoxville #United States #Ripley PR #Employee Safety #scam alerts

Ripley PR Issues Year-End PSA on Scam Awareness

As the holiday season coincides with the close of the year for many businesses, employees find themselves caught in a whirlwind of deadlines and urgent tasks. This heightened busyness makes them particularly susceptible to an increase in fraudulent activities, notably scams that exploit the hustle and bustle of the season.

Recognizing this vulnerability, Ripley PR, a prominent public relations agency specializing in various sectors including skilled trades and B2B technology, has released a public service announcement (PSA) urging companies to alert their employees about the growing sophistication of scams that tend to spike at this time of year.

The Rise of Scams During the Busy Season

During this unpredictable yet busy time, scammers are ever more cunning, often impersonating business leaders through emails or text messages. They typically create a sense of urgency, pressuring employees to act quickly, which can lead to hasty decisions that might compromise security.

These deceptive attempts often include requests for sensitive information, urgent money transfers, or, alarmingly, gift cards. Scammers frequently target roles that are easy to find online, as well as newer employees who may not yet be familiar with their company's protocols.

According to Heather Ripley, the founder and CEO of Ripley PR, “Effective communication from leadership is essential to keep employees vigilant during these times.” As scams become increasingly sophisticated, even astute and well-trained employees can fall prey to these tactics. Therefore, creating a workplace culture where employees feel empowered to question and verify suspicious requests without hesitation is imperative.

Proactive Measures to Combat Scams

Ripley PR has laid out several recommendations for business leaders striving to protect their employees from seasonal scams:
1. Educate Employees: Businesses should conduct training sessions to inform employees about common impersonation techniques and what red flags to look for.
2. Encourage Verification: Employees should be advised to confirm any unusual requests verbally rather than relying on digital communication alone.
3. Establish 'Verify First' Protocol: Companies must implement a straightforward and consistent protocol for any sensitive actions requiring action. This could involve an intermediate step before proceeding based on unusual requests.
4. Communicate Leadership Protocol: Teams should be reminded regularly that leadership will not request urgent financial transactions or gift cards through casual channels like text or personal email.
5. Clarify Internal Policies: Clear reminders regarding policies on wire transfers, cash gifts, or any similar transactions must be thoroughly communicated.

Heather Ripley emphasizes that “taking a few minutes to educate employees can prevent weeks of potential damage.” Continued and clear communication renders the best defense against these malicious attacks.

The Importance of Awareness

In this digital age, where work attire is more casual and communication is swift, employees may unknowingly compromise their security without proper warnings and continuous education from their employers. As such, Ripley PR encourages organizations to be vigilant and proactive.

By taking these steps, businesses not only protect their employees but also help create a safer working environment, minimizing stress and safeguarding essential financial transactions.

For more on how to enhance your organization's scam awareness, visit Ripley PR's website.