Local Business Owners Receive Fake Email Telling Them to Click Link, Recertify with Erie County
If Link is Opened, Critical information Could Be Exposed
ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Division of Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) is warning Minority & Women Owned Business Enterprises (“MWBEs”) of a phishing email scam targeting them and which could result in the exposure of sensitive business information. The EEO Division was notified today of an email that circulated telling MWBE business owners that it is time to recertify with Erie County; however, the email did NOT originate from the EEO Division and contained a link that, if clicked on, would lead to all that company’s information being exposed.
“We became aware of this phishing scam earlier today when a local business owner received the suspicious email and notified us,” said Director of the Division of Equal Employment Opportunity Andrew McLaren. “Wisely, that person did not open the link in the email but instead sent it immediately to our attention. Scams like this rely on recipients not looking closely at who’s sending the email, are there typos in the subject line or other errant symbols, or other red flags associated with scams. The most important thing to remember is, if it looks even a little suspicious, don’t open the link.”
The Division of EEO will be contacting all certified MWBE business owners to let them know that the suspicious email did not originate with Erie County and that any correspondence regarding recertification would originate from the Division of EEO. Business owners are advised to be aware of and vigilant for potential scams and to contact the Division of EEO with any questions.
For more information: On the Erie County Division of EEO, visit https://www3.erie.gov/eeo/
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