If a hacker gains access to your business funds, your bank isn’t responsible for replacing the stolen money. Surprised? Most business owners are. In fact, many mistakenly believe that the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) protects them from fraud. But the FDIC only protects you in the case of bank insolvency, not cybercrime or fraud.
This is a crucial distinction that too few business owners realize until it’s too late. In today’s digital age, cyber-attacks, phishing scams, and bank fraud are more common than ever. If you’re not taking extra steps to secure your business bank account, you could find yourself facing a devastating loss that your bank won’t cover.
But don’t worry—there are proactive steps you can take right now to ensure your business bank account is protected from fraud. Let’s dive into what you need to know and the actions you should take today to safeguard your money.
First, it’s important to understand why business bank accounts are so vulnerable. Unlike personal accounts, business accounts lack the legal protections that many individuals take for granted. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), which protects consumers from fraudulent electronic transfers, doesn’t apply to businesses. This means that if a hacker empties your business account, your bank has no legal obligation to refund the stolen money.
To put it simply, if your business funds are stolen, you’re on your own unless you’ve put specific protections in place.
Still skeptical? Call your bank and ask what their policy is on refunding money stolen from a business account due to fraud. You’ll quickly find out that the protections you think are in place aren’t. This lack of protection means it’s crucial to be proactive about securing your account.
Now that you understand the risks, it’s time to take action. Here are three essential steps you should take to protect your business bank account from cyber fraud.
One of the most effective ways to secure your bank account is by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of protection when logging into your bank’s online portal.
With 2FA, you not only enter your password but also a secondary code sent to your mobile device or email. This extra step makes it significantly harder for hackers to access your account, even if they’ve managed to steal your password.
Think of it as locking your front door and having a security guard on standby. Even if the hacker breaks the lock, they still need to get past the guard (the second authentication factor).
Most banks now offer 2FA, but if yours doesn’t, it’s time to consider switching to a bank that takes your cybersecurity seriously. If you’re not sure how to enable this feature, check out this guide on setting up two-factor authentication for your bank account.
Another critical step in protecting your business bank account is securing a crime policy. A crime policy is a type of insurance that protects your business from financial losses due to fraud, phishing attacks, and cybercrime.
In the event that hackers steal funds from your account through a cyber-attack, a crime policy can cover your losses. Unlike general business insurance, which may not cover cybercrime, a crime policy is specifically designed to protect your assets from the growing threat of online fraud.
Without this type of insurance, you’re left to absorb the financial hit entirely on your own. If you’re running a small business, that could mean the difference between staying afloat and going under. Cybercrime is on the rise, and no business is too small to be targeted. Secure your business by exploring your crime insurance options today.
For more detailed information on protecting your business from cyber-attacks, check out this comprehensive guide to crime insurance for businesses.
The third tip might seem simple, but it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized transactions from draining your business account: require verbal confirmation for wire transfers and set up alerts for large transactions.
Hackers often initiate wire transfers or make large withdrawals once they gain access to your account. By requiring your bank to get verbal confirmation from you before processing any wire transfers, you add an important layer of security. This ensures that no significant sums of money leave your account without your explicit approval.
Additionally, setting up real-time alerts for any large checks, debits, or transfers can give you immediate notice if something suspicious is happening. Most banks allow you to configure these alerts through their online banking platform. Make sure your alerts are set to notify you of any transactions that exceed a specific threshold, so you can act quickly if something seems off.
If your bank doesn’t offer these features, consider it a red flag. There are plenty of banks that prioritize their customers’ security by offering advanced fraud prevention tools. It’s worth switching to one that values your protection. To learn more about this process, take a look at this resource on choosing a secure bank for your business.
By now, you should have a clear understanding of the vulnerabilities your business bank account faces and the proactive steps you can take to protect your hard-earned money. Here’s a quick recap of the three essential actions you should take today:
Don’t wait until your business is the next victim of cyber fraud. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated every day, and without these protections, you could be leaving your business open to a devastating financial loss.
Need help with cybersecurity or have questions about protecting your business? Click here to schedule a quick, 15-minute call. I’ll walk you through the best practices to secure your accounts and safeguard your business from online threats.
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is not just an IT issue—it’s a business survival issue. Take action now to ensure your business is protected.
