What is Business Email Compromise (BEC)?
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a type of cyberattack where scammers impersonate company executives, clients, or vendors to trick businesses into sending money or sensitive information.
This threat is rising rapidly, especially among small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in Atlanta.
How Business Email Compromise Works
- Hack or spoof an executive’s email.
- Urgently request wire transfers or sensitive documents.
- Exploit trust and authority to avoid suspicion.
Example:
An Atlanta construction firm received an urgent email “from the CFO” requesting a $50,000 wire transfer. It was fake. The money was gone.
Why Atlanta SMBs Are Targets
Atlanta businesses across industries like real estate, legal, financial services, and manufacturing are frequent targets because they:
- Regularly process financial transactions.
- Rely on email for approvals and communications.
- May lack advanced cybersecurity protections.
Signs of a Business Email Compromise Attempt
Look for these red flags:
- Urgent payment requests out of the blue.
- Unusual changes in payment details.
- Poor grammar or unusual tone in emails.
- Requests to bypass standard procedures.
How to Prevent Business Email Compromise
Follow these best practices to stay safe:
1. Strengthen Email Security
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Implement email filtering to block suspicious emails.
- Set up alert policies in Office 365 or Google Workspace.
2. Train Employees
- Regular phishing awareness training.
- Teach staff to verify unusual payment requests by phone.
3. Establish Secure Processes
- Always verify payment changes through a secondary channel.
- Use approval workflows for all significant financial transactions.
The Cost of Business Email Compromise
According to the FBI, BEC scams have caused billions of dollars in losses worldwide. For small businesses in Atlanta, one attack can mean:
- Major financial loss.
- Damage to client trust.
- Potential legal liability.
How Managed IT Services Help
Partnering with a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) like trueITpros ensures:
- Continuous monitoring for suspicious activity.
- Implementation of best-in-class cybersecurity tools.
- Employee training and security policy development.
Quick Tips to Protect Your Business
- Enable MFA for all accounts.
- Regularly update passwords.
- Set up automatic alerts for unusual login attempts.
- Back up your financial records securely.
- Keep software and email systems updated.
Related Resources
- How to Set Up MFA for Your Atlanta Business
- Phishing Scams Targeting Atlanta Companies
- Top Cybersecurity Threats in 2025
Don’t Let Scammers Exploit Your Business
Business Email Compromise is a serious threat to Atlanta companies. With the right defenses, you can keep your finances and reputation safe.
To learn more about how trueITpros can help your company with Managed IT Services in Atlanta, contact us at www.trueitpros.com/contact.
