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News

ROUND-UP Homing in on cybercrime An increasing number of people have been working from home this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many have enjoyed not having to commute, others have found it stressful trying to juggle work and childcare in the same environment. Working from home has also meant fewer opportunities to talk to colleagues and confer about decisions all things that criminals use to their advantage to commit fraud. ROUND-UP Thats why the National Trading Standards Scams Team has launched a new Businesses Against Scams campaign, to highlight issues to organisations and employees who currently find themselves operating in dierent working environments. It also oers online training modules that show employees how to spot scams and report them. Cyber breaches cost the average small business 25,700, while government statistics show the annual cost to business of cybercrime is 21bn a year. As well as huge financial losses, scams such as tax-refund fraud can lead to reputational damage for firms if criminals go on to defraud customers. There has been an increase in scam emails, texts and calls during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many businesses facing fresh security challenges as employees operate new software and devices at home. To find out more about what threats your business may face and how to combat them read our cyber security feature. Credit: Karen Woolley, development manager, Federation of Small Businesses iStock.com / SeventyFour AWARE OF CRIME? REPORT IT ANONYMOUSLY TO TRADING STANDARDS The level playing field that nurtures and promotes economic growth and development for businesses, locally and nationally, is maintained by Trading Standards. It partly does this by oering advice and assistance to honest and legitimate traders who request guidance on legislation, and by assisting those traders who need a little help to become compliant. Where businesses choose to trade outside the law and ignore the advice and guidance given, Trading Standards tackles them by using appropriate enforcement action. A lack of willingness and cooperation to comply with trading law and any engagement in criminal activity undermines and harms legitimate trade. This, inevitably, leads to honest businesses being disadvantaged and having to compete against traders who oer inferior goods and services. To survive, the honest business may be forced to lower its standards or its quality of product, resulting in unsatisfied consumers. Left unchecked, this leads to a loss in consumer confidence, and has resulted in certain trade sectors being mistrusted. By working with Trading Standards, legitimate businesses that believe their sector is being damaged and undermined by unscrupulous traders can help focus and target Trading Standards resources, and reduce the harm being inflicted upon their profession. Those who believe their professions reputation is being damaged and undermined by illegitimate traders working outside the law can report them via the anonymous, automated hotline 0300 303 2636, or by using the online reporting system. Report foul play to create a level playing field for all. Credit: Brandon Cook, Trading Standards ocer For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service