Protect Your Business: Avoid QuickBooks Impersonation and Fraud
At SelecTech, we’re committed to keeping our customers informed and secure, especially when it comes to widely used business tools like QuickBooks. Recently, there have been increasing reports of fraudsters impersonating QuickBooks sales and support agents. It’s crucial for your business’s safety to stay vigilant and informed about these tactics to protect your financial and customer data.
Rising Threats in Imposter Scams
Imposter scams have surged to become the number one fraud category, causing annual losses of $2.7 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, mimicking official representatives from trusted companies like Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks, to deceive unsuspecting businesses.
Identifying Fraudulent QuickBooks Software
Be cautious of unauthorized resellers offering QuickBooks Desktop software online. Intuit has discontinued the sale of new subscriptions for QuickBooks Desktop Plus and QuickBooks Desktop Enhanced Payroll. Moreover, the non-subscription versions of QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, and Mac—sometimes marketed as Lifetime or perpetual licenses—are no longer available through legitimate channels.
Any products branded as QuickBooks Desktop being sold on platforms like Amazon or found via Google Search are likely unauthorized and potentially fraudulent. These counterfeit products not only pose significant security risks but may also lead to compromised customer data and financial losses.
How to Spot and Avoid Technical Support Scams
Technical support scams often involve unsolicited communication from individuals claiming to represent Intuit. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Unsolicited Support Calls or Emails: Intuit will never contact you without a previous request. Any unexpected call or email claiming to fix an issue like malware or corrupted files should be considered suspicious.
- Demands for Immediate Payment: Fraudulent tech support might use high-pressure tactics to urge payment for unrequested services, including non-existent subscriptions, and may ask for immediate access to your computer or financial transactions.
- Unofficial Contact Information: Always verify the source of the contact. Fraudsters might use non-Intuit emails, webpages, or phone numbers. For legitimate Intuit tech support, always refer directly to their official support page.
Protecting Your Business
To safeguard against these threats, educate yourself and your team about these scams. Verify all software purchases and support services through official channels and be wary of any unsolicited assistance or too-good-to-be-true software offers.
If you encounter any suspicious activity related to QuickBooks or other Intuit services, report it immediately by contacting Intuit directly at 1-800-4-INTUIT. At SelecTech, your business security is our top priority, and we’re here to help ensure that you have the resources to protect it.