Internet fraud increases

In recent weeks, given the remit of covering business money, I’ve said quite a lot about the state of the economy. I’m going to give it a break this week; either …

By
23rd April 2008 at 11:45 am

In recent weeks, given the remit of covering business money, I’ve said quite a lot about the state of the economy. I’m going to give it a break this week; either confidence will return or it won’t (and I still believe a lot of the problem has been about either confidence or more likely overconfidence when it comes to, say, valuing a house and the bank valuing its assets on the value of the mortgage) and that’s pretty much that.

What’s more disturbing is the report today that we’re increasingly victims of Internet Fraud. Granted, this week is the week of the Infosec show in London so there will be a lot of people talking up security stories out there but it remains a concern that official figures are underestimating how many people are losing money by so much.

The usual caveats apply and the calls for a Cybercrime unit make a lot of sense. In the meantime this is going to hit customer confidence very hard indeed – it was getting a lot of coverage on the Today programme, for example. Businesses that have downsized to take account of non-face-to-face trading could be in for an unpleasant reality check (elsewhere the BBC has reported – shock horror – that people are increasingly resorting to cash they actually have to fund their purchases).

It’s just what we didn’t need, and makes it a good time for Internet traders to look at and upgrade their security – this afternoon would be a good time.

#646464

Guy Clapperton is a freelance journalist who specialises in small business issues and has written for the likes of The Guardian, the FT and the Daily Mirror. Guy has written about finance and franchising for SmallBizPod. http://www.guyclapperton.co.uk

Commenting Is Easy

Do you agree with this blog post? Disagree? Have something to add that others might find helpful? Then please leave a comment in the box below.

If you'd like to have your image included next to your comments here, then you can set yourself up with an avatar in just a couple of clicks.

Leave a comment

Photostream

Listen to the sales podcast for SMEs Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

BUSINESS PODCASTS

Click on one of the play buttons to listen to inspirational interviews with entrepreneurs from SmallBizPod.

SmallBizPod #93 - interview with Brad Burton of 4Networking

SmallBizPod #93 - interview with Brad Burton of 4Networking

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #48 - Young entrepreneur podcast

SmallBizPod #48 - Young entrepreneur podcast

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #84 - interview with Lara Solomon, author and Mock entrepreneur

SmallBizPod #84 - interview with Lara Solomon, author and Mock entrepreneur

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #50 - Martin Webb podcast interview

SmallBizPod #50 - Martin Webb podcast interview

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #72 - Michael Gerber podcast - dreaming big with the E-Myth author

SmallBizPod #72 - Michael Gerber podcast - dreaming big with the E-Myth author

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #61 - Levi Roots Podcast

SmallBizPod #61 - Levi Roots Podcast

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now

PARTNER PROMOTIONS

If looking to boost your businesses performance with promotional marketing, travel incentives or incentive schemes get it touch with NDL Group