{"id":297349,"date":"2025-10-08T11:00:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T23:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/?p=297349"},"modified":"2025-11-04T10:50:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T22:50:58","slug":"scam-response-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/blog\/scam-response-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do when you\u2019ve been scammed! Cyber scam response checklist for small businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; module_class=&#8221;table-contents&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#f3f2f6&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;25px||25px||true|false&#8221; sticky_position=&#8221;top&#8221; sticky_limit_bottom=&#8221;section&#8221; sticky_position_tablet=&#8221;top&#8221; sticky_position_phone=&#8221;none&#8221; sticky_position_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=&#8221;0&#8243; border_radii=&#8221;on|24px|24px|24px|24px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; text_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; background__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221;][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;26px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019ve been scammed, it makes you feel sick to your stomach. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common feeling among small businesses, as<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/technology-and-security\/business-scam-stats\/\"> financial losses from scams<\/a> amount to millions each year. When every dollar counts for small businesses, it can be devastating when you fall for a cyber scam. So, what can you do?<\/p>\n<p>The good thing is that you&#8217;re not alone, and there is a step-by-step process to recover from a scam. Let\u2019s look at what you can do when you\u2019ve been scammed.<\/p>\n<h2>Act fast<\/h2>\n<p>If you suspect that you\u2019ve been scammed, don\u2019t panic. Whether a scammer has access to one of your accounts, or you\u2019ve sent them money, or they have stolen your personal information, you need to act fast. Follow the steps below:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Disengage:<\/strong> Block the scammer if they are in contact with you, and do not send more money.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Update:<\/strong> Change passwords for affected accounts and run virus scans on affected devices.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contact:<\/strong> Report the activity to your financial institution and stop any suspicious transactions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Report, file, and recover:<\/strong> Report the scam to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scamwatch.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ScamWatch<\/a>, file a police report if your details or money have been stolen, and recover with free help from cyber support agency <a href=\"https:\/\/www.idcare.org\/get_help\/small-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IDCARE<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protect:<\/strong> Notify friends and family of an incident and implement <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/technology-and-security\/cybersecurity-checklist\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"97\">cybersecurity<\/a> measures.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;|||275px|false|false&#8221;]<script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/6zpfmfenmo.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><\/p>\n<style>wistia-player[media-id='6zpfmfenmo']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/6zpfmfenmo\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); }<\/style>\n<p> <wistia-player media-id=\"6zpfmfenmo\" aspect=\"0.5625\" style=\"width: 225px;height: 400px;\"><\/wistia-player>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;26px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>When you\u2019ve been scammed: Money, personal info, or hacked<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][difl_advancedtab content_container_bgcolor=&#8221;#f3f2f6&#8243; use_sticky_nav=&#8221;off&#8221; use_nav_width=&#8221;off&#8221; nav_container_width=&#8221;25%&#8221; nav_align=&#8221;auto&#8221; nav_item_bgcolor=&#8221;#f3f2f6&#8243; nav_item_active_bgcolor=&#8221;#FF5447&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#5A3FFF&#8221; icon_color_active=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; icon_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; icon_placement=&#8221;flex_right&#8221; use_active_arrow=&#8221;off&#8221; button_align=&#8221;left&#8221; button_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; nav_wrapper_margin=&#8221;||20px||false|false&#8221; nav_wrapper_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; at_content_wrapper_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; at_content_wrapper_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; nav_item_margin=&#8221;|10px|20px||false|false&#8221; nav_item_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; nav_item_first_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; nav_item_active_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; content_padding=&#8221;25px|25px|25px|25px|true|true&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#0A004A&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; title_active_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_active_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;.df_at_content h2{font-weight: 800; font-size: 30px;}||h4.df_at_title{margin:0; padding:0;}||.difl_advancedtab_0 .lr_left .at_nav_content, .difl_advancedtab_0 .lr_right .at_nav_content{flex:auto;}&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_radii_content_wrapper=&#8221;on|20px|20px|20px|20px&#8221; border_radii_nav_wrapper=&#8221;on|12px|12px|12px|12px&#8221; border_radii_nav_item=&#8221;on|15px|15px|15px|15px&#8221; border_radii_nav_item_active=&#8221;on|15px|15px|15px|15px&#8221; box_shadow_style_content_wrapper=&#8221;preset1&#8243; box_shadow_horizontal_content_wrapper=&#8221;-5px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_content_wrapper=&#8221;10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; content_padding__hover_enabled=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221;][difl_advancedtabitem title=&#8221;Money&#8221; navigation_link=&#8221;https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/blog\/scam-response-checklist\/#difl_advancedtabitem_0&#8243; at_button_button_url_new_window=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>You have sent money to a scammer<\/h3>\n<p>If you have sent money to a scammer, it is crucial to try to stop any further money from being stolen. Depending on how the money has been scammed, you need to start from the source and go from there.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Credit and debit cards:<\/strong> Contact the card provider and report the scam, and ask the provider to freeze the account and stop all transactions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gift cards:<\/strong> Report the incident to the company that issued the card.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wire transfers:<\/strong> Contact the company or bank you used for assistance. If you used an app, contact the app developer or service provider.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unauthorised transactions:<\/strong> Contact the bank, freeze the account, and stop all further transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/difl_advancedtabitem][difl_advancedtabitem title=&#8221;Personal info&#8221; navigation_link=&#8221;https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/blog\/scam-response-checklist\/#difl_advancedtabitem_1&#8243; at_button_button_url_new_window=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>The scammer has stolen personal info<\/h3>\n<p>When a scammer has a hold of your personal information, they are looking to use those details to impersonate you and take out money in your name. To secure your details, you need to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Inform:<\/strong> Report to your bank, financial services and superfund of the incident<\/li>\n<li><strong>Get help:<\/strong> Contact IDCARE to help recover<\/li>\n<li><strong>Update:<\/strong> Change passwords and update your security software on all accounts<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monitor:<\/strong> Across your various accounts (email, phone, text, and social media), check for suspicious activity and regularly review your bank accounts and credit\/debit card reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/difl_advancedtabitem][difl_advancedtabitem title=&#8221;Hacked&#8221; navigation_link=&#8221;https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/blog\/scam-response-checklist\/#difl_advancedtabitem_2&#8243; at_button_button_url_new_window=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>The scammer has hacked your devices<\/h3>\n<p>When a cybercriminal gains access to your devices, it is crucial to act quickly and prevent them from gaining further access. If scammer has access to your devices, do the following:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Reset passwords, use a password manager, and install a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/technology-and-security\/what-is-mfa\/\">multi-factor authenticatio<\/a>n app. Doing this locks down your accounts and protects you with multiple levels of security.<\/li>\n<li>Scan your devices with malware detection software. iPhone OS updates have strong built-in protections, but for Android\/Google phones: go to the Google Play Store&gt; tap your profile icon &gt; Play Protect &gt; Scan. Malware protection software will flag and delete any suspicious applications.<\/li>\n<li>Review all your applications and delete unnecessary apps. This reduces clutter and removes any compromised apps.<\/li>\n<li>Check your settings, update your operating system, review camera and microphone permissions, and conduct a safety check to see who you are sharing your information with.<\/li>\n<li>\\\\If all else fails and you cannot regain access to your devices, perform a factory reset. <strong>This is a last resort option<\/strong> and should only be considered if you have secure backups to restore from your device. Ensure that all your important accounts, both financial and personal, are safe and that you can still access them from another device before proceeding.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/difl_advancedtabitem][\/difl_advancedtab][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Scam example<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s go through an example of the steps to take after you have been scammed. <\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Scenario&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#0a004a&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#eeecff&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;30px|30px|30px|30px|false|false&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|20px|20px|20px|20px&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset2&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Scam scenario: Social media ad scam<\/h3>\n<p>Paul owns a small plumbing business that services multiple suburbs. One day, he receives a message from someone on Instagram claiming to be a representative for a company that promotes small businesses to increase visibility and get more clients. Paul looks at their website and finds that the package looks professional, and the testimonials are encouraging. Convinced, Paul sent a payment of $1,000 via wire transfer for the service.<\/p>\n<p>After payment, Paul received a poorly worded email confirmation and further messaging to upgrade the plan for better results. Paul looks into the site a little further and realises he has been scammed.<\/p>\n<p>What did Paul do next:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Act fast:<\/strong> Paul doesn\u2019t panic and stops communicating with the scammer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Disengages:<\/strong> Paul blocks the scammer on email, Instagram, and other messaging apps.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Updates:<\/strong> Paul updates his passwords across accounts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contacts:<\/strong> Paul contacts his bank, reports the scam and asks to freeze the account to stop any further transactions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Report, file, and recover:<\/strong> Paul reports the incident to ScamWatch, contacts the police to file a report, and reaches out to IDCARE for more information on how to secure his personal information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protect:<\/strong> Paul informs his office manager and other employees about the scam and installs multi-factor authentication across his accounts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>In this scenario, we see that a scammer has set up a trap for a business owner by offering a promising financial opportunity. This is a common tactic among scammers, and it is essential to be able to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/blog\/cybersecurity-scams\/\">spot a scam<\/a> when you notice something that doesn\u2019t quite seem right. When fraud does occur, follow Paul\u2019s example and you\u2019ll set yourself up to be better protected in the future.<\/p>\n<h2>Protecting yourself and your business from scams<\/h2>\n<p>The internet and social media are an essential part of running a business\u2014unfortunately, this also means there are more ways than ever in which scammers can try to steal from you.<\/p>\n<p>However, even though their tactics are improving, the red flags of a scam remain the same: too good to be true, someone claiming to be someone else, and easily debunked claims through research. There are ways to protect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/blog\/small-business-cybersecurity-tips\/\">yourself from scams<\/a>, but if you are a victim, make sure to follow the proper steps to get you and your business back on track. Remember, it\u2019s not the end of the world; scams are a common occurrence. What\u2019s important is that you protect yourself so that you can continue business as usual.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][ba_social_share icon_bg=&#8221;#03002e&#8221; icon_padding=&#8221;10px|12px|10px|12px|true|true&#8221; layout=&#8221;classic&#8221; show_text=&#8221;off&#8221; btn_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; btn_bg_color=&#8221;RGBA(255,255,255,0)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;50px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;25px||||false|false&#8221; custom_css_before=&#8221; content: %22SHARE THIS%22;|| font-size: 16px;|| font-weight: 700;|| line-height: 22px;|| letter-spacing: 0em;|| text-align: center;|| color: #ff5447;|| margin-bottom: 10px;|| display: inline-flex;|| position: absolute;|| margin-top: 10px;&#8221; border_width_top_main=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_top_main=&#8221;#e4e4e4&#8243; border_radii_icon=&#8221;on|5px|5px|5px|5px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_css_before_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221;][ba_social_share_child _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/ba_social_share_child][ba_social_share_child network_type=&#8221;facebook&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/ba_social_share_child][ba_social_share_child network_type=&#8221;linkedin&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/ba_social_share_child][ba_social_share_child network_type=&#8221;email&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/ba_social_share_child][\/ba_social_share][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Not sure what to do if you&#8217;ve been scammed? Learn what to do with our scam response checklist for small businesses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":297390,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>Tired of success? Sick to the back teeth with all talk of stability and strong cash flow? Dreading strong growth, healthy profits, and excellent brand recognition? Then listen up! It\u2019s time to run your business right into the dirt.<\/p><p>It\u2019s easy, let\u2019s get you started.<\/p><h2>1) Ignore reporting<\/h2><p>One of the best ways to ruin your business beyond repair is to ignore reporting. When you use business tools like accounting software to run reports on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/glossary\/cash-flow\/\">cash flow<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/starting-a-small-business\/what-is-and-how-calculate-cost-of-goods-sold\/\">COGS<\/a>, budget <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/starting-a-small-business\/budgeting-and-forecasting-for-small-businesses\/\">forecasting<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/bookkeeping\/managing-accounts-receivable\/\">accounts receivable<\/a>, you gain actionable insights through hard data.<\/p><p>Instead of steering your business on gut feel, running reports, and then taking the information onboard will help you make better business decisions. We can\u2019t have that.<\/p><h2>2) Neglect your website<\/h2><p>Old websites are good websites. If you really want to curb your capacity for growth and profits, you should never update your website.<\/p><p>Ensure you have:<\/p><ul><li>Slow speeds.<\/li><li>Terrible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/basic-seo-checklist-for-dummies\/\">SEO<\/a>.<\/li><li>No <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/a-discussion-with-our-digital-marketing-manager-what-can-you-learn-for-your-own-business\/\">mobile-first strategy<\/a>.<\/li><li>Hard-to-navigate menus.<\/li><li>Woeful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/lets-talk-about-branding-a-discussion-with-our-senior-digital-designer\/\">branding<\/a>.<\/li><li>No visible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/the-importance-of-a-crm\/\">path to sales<\/a>.<\/li><li>Busy and cluttered pages.<\/li><\/ul><p>By keeping your website stuck firmly in the early 2000s you will make great progress in diminishing your business and becoming unappealing to customers.<\/p><h2>3) Don\u2019t ask for customer feedback<\/h2><p>Don\u2019t ever listen to your customers or request feedback. What would they know?<\/p><p>Understanding feedback leads to a deeper understanding of your client base and increases your capacity to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/why-is-customer-service-the-top-priority-for-any-business\/\">make your customers happy<\/a>.<\/p><p>When you ask for feedback and then act on it to make changes to your business model, you may run the risk of making and retaining more customers and increasing your profits. Avoid at all costs, (as this will only make your business stronger and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/resilience\/business-resilience-taking-care-of-yourself\/\">more resilient<\/a>.)<\/p><h2>4) Do it all yourself and never ask for advice<\/h2><p>Nobody knows more than you, so never ask for advice or consult with a business advisor. Business advisors are adept professionals, skilled in analysing your data and making sage suggestions on how to improve many facets of your business.<\/p><p>Business advisors and accountants can help you:<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/starting-a-small-business\/budgeting-tips\/\">Budget and forecast<\/a>.<\/li><li>Rejig your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/business-plan-template\/\">business plan<\/a>.<\/li><li>Analyse <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/cashflow-forecast-template\/\">cash flow<\/a>.<\/li><li>Cut down on expenses.<\/li><li>Implement better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/the-future-of-automation-in-small-businesses-predictions-and-trends\/\">workflows<\/a>.<\/li><li>Help with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/single-touch-payroll\/stp-phase-2\/\">payroll<\/a> and taxes.<\/li><\/ul><p>Such professional advice and assistance will only lead to a healthier business geared toward growth.<\/p><h2>5) Leave everything until the last minute<\/h2><p>If you\u2019d like to generate a tight ball of stress in your chest and make hasty decisions, you\u2019re best off leaving everything until the very last minute. Wait until the final chance to do your:<\/p><ul><li>taxes<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/bas\/\">BAS<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/accounting-software\/payroll\/\">payroll<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/inventory\/accounting\/\">stock orders<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/how-to-reach-your-customers-with-journeys-communications-and-campaigns\/\">customer communication<\/a><\/li><li>expense payments.<\/li><\/ul><p>If you plan and work toward getting tasks done with a calm mind and a chance to do things consciously and correctly, you\u2019re only going to run a tighter ship.<\/p><h2>6) Mix up your personal and business finances<\/h2><p>Another surefire way to erode your business is to muddle up your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/business-finances\/benefits-of-decoupling\/\">personal and business finances<\/a>. By using business funds for personal purchases and paying for business expenses with personal accounts you\u2019ll generate a wild financial tangle.<\/p><p>This nest of interwoven finances will make it an absolute nightmare to tease out your real financial position and truly mess with your reporting and tax compliance. So, if you want to spend inordinate hours trying to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/the-golden-rules-to-avoid-a-massive-tax-bill-as-a-sole-trader\/\">separate your business finances<\/a> down the track, go right ahead and make it nice and messy.<\/p><h2>7) Never adjust course<\/h2><p>If you want to run your ship into a reef, make sure you never adjust course.<\/p><p>There are a lot of successful business owners out there who keep a finger on the pulse, research the market, listen to feedback, and interpret data to adjust their offerings and business models.<\/p><p>These business owners tend to benefit from avoiding obsolescence and will make shifts to correspond to the changing tastes of their customers and prevailing market conditions.<\/p><p>If you want to see diminishing returns, however, don\u2019t be like them \u2013 just remain static.<\/p><h2>8) Create hostile relationships with your employees<\/h2><p>Another fantastic way to damage your business is to take employees for granted. It\u2019s often said that a business is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/fruitful-staff-wellbeing-trends-you-can-activate-in-your-business-now\/\">only as good as its employees<\/a>, so take advantage of that and neglect your staff. Nothing will demotivate an employee faster than neglect.<\/p><p>A few ways to do this include underpayments, never giving praise or encouragement, fostering a negative <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/why-is-it-so-important-to-make-your-business-a-great-place-to-work\/\">work culture<\/a>, never offering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/reckon-blog\/7-reasons-why-you-need-to-train-and-continue-educating-your-employees\/\">training or education<\/a>, deploying a harsh and unforgiving attitude, and having a general lack of respect. Your business will be suffering in no time!<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[343],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-297349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cyber scam response checklist for small businesses | Reckon Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not sure what to do if you&#039;ve been scammed? 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