Wednesday, August 27, 2008
All right well all you must see that I have been writing about Fraud and Identity Theft lately. This is because I had a customer (Name will not be given) call in an order for $225.00 worth of software and other good from my Company.
It all started out a couple weeks ago. One day I get a phone call from a customer. I was pretty excited because I am a Small Business Owner, my company is fairly new Krzyview,Co. and he was one of my first client's ever. So of course I go through the regular routine of getting personal information, and what the customer was actually looking for. We figured everything out and came up with a fair price on a large amount of software, articles, and some other things. Trust me the customer left very satisfied with everything I gave him at such a cheap price.
A couple days later I receive a phone call from a man asking questions like why I was debiting his Bank Account. I asked for some personal information to identify who I was talking to. The information the man on the phone gave me was information that matched my customer who was just days ago completely satisfied. So when I thought about the first question asked of me I was sort of baffled.
After talking with my customer for a little bit, it came to light that he was a victim of Identity Theft. I gave over to the customer all the personal information given to me so he can call the proper authorities and his bank, just so he can get this matter settled as quickly as possible.
As of right now my part with the customer is done. I have talked to my bank and if the check is found out to be Fraudulent I will have to pay back the $225.00 for goods I have already provided to someone. Granted the important thing here is that the customer gets his Identity Theft problem fixed. So what does a Small Business Owner do to protect himself from things like this:
It all started out a couple weeks ago. One day I get a phone call from a customer. I was pretty excited because I am a Small Business Owner, my company is fairly new Krzyview,Co. and he was one of my first client's ever. So of course I go through the regular routine of getting personal information, and what the customer was actually looking for. We figured everything out and came up with a fair price on a large amount of software, articles, and some other things. Trust me the customer left very satisfied with everything I gave him at such a cheap price.
A couple days later I receive a phone call from a man asking questions like why I was debiting his Bank Account. I asked for some personal information to identify who I was talking to. The information the man on the phone gave me was information that matched my customer who was just days ago completely satisfied. So when I thought about the first question asked of me I was sort of baffled.
After talking with my customer for a little bit, it came to light that he was a victim of Identity Theft. I gave over to the customer all the personal information given to me so he can call the proper authorities and his bank, just so he can get this matter settled as quickly as possible.
As of right now my part with the customer is done. I have talked to my bank and if the check is found out to be Fraudulent I will have to pay back the $225.00 for goods I have already provided to someone. Granted the important thing here is that the customer gets his Identity Theft problem fixed. So what does a Small Business Owner do to protect himself from things like this:
- First step is to verify our clients information by calling any numbers you have for him. If he's a true customer he will appreciate the concern and added security.
- The address given to you if one was given to you than verify it with site's like Whitepages.com
- If a purchase was made from your company by a customer using a Fraudulent Information, notify the customer and give any information they may need to rectify the problem with there bank and local Government Agencies
- Last but certainly not least, Notify your bank of the situation at hand and see what your rights are and what you must do.
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