Criminals are targeting businesses with a range sophisticated scams over the summer months while senior staff take holidays, small firms group Isme has warned.
The association said the scams had the potential to cost millions unless businesses put in place policies to prevent such methods of ripping-off unsuspecting companies.
Isme said the scams related to bank accounts, business directories and the Revenue Commissioners.
A survey by the group found that 66 per cent of member businesses had been the target of a potential scam in the last twelve months. Overseas offers, inclusion in business directories and phishing are the three most prevalent scams being attempted.
"The incidence of these scams increases during the summer holidays, as fraudsters are aware that, in many cases, senior management may be on annual holidays, leaving more junior staff to take decisions," Isme chief executive Mark Fielding said.
The organisation has advised businesses to check invoices carefully, pay attention to small print on documents, nominate senior staff who must sign all documentation being sent to third parties and ensure that all signatories within the company are fully briefed.
"It is also imperative that there is an increased recognition by law enforcement agencies of the impact of this type of fraudulent activity on business."
