As a nonprofit, your organization is focused on making a difference in the world. But unfortunately, cybercriminals see your goodwill as an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities in your systems. Nonprofits are often seen as easy targets because they may have limited resources to dedicate to cybersecurity, which makes them more susceptible to scams and cyberattacks. In this blog post, we will discuss the five most common cyber scams that target nonprofits and provide you with actionable tips to avoid falling victim to them.

1. Phishing Scams

Phishing is one of the most prevalent and dangerous cyber scams that can target nonprofits. These scams involve tricking employees or volunteers into clicking on malicious links or opening harmful attachments by pretending to be a trusted entity—often a partner, donor, or government organization. Phishing emails may appear legitimate, with logos and branding that make them look official, but the goal is always the same: steal sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details.

How to Avoid It:

• Educate your team on how to spot phishing emails.
• Implement a strong email filtering system to catch suspicious messages.
• Encourage a policy of verifying requests for sensitive information directly with the sender, especially if it’s unexpected or urgent.

2. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Business Email Compromise (BEC) occurs when an attacker gains access to a legitimate email account within your organization and uses it to carry out fraudulent activities. BEC attacks are typically aimed at financial departments, tricking staff into authorizing fraudulent wire transfers or changing payment instructions for donations. These attacks can be difficult to detect and result in significant financial losses for nonprofits.

How to Avoid It:

• Enforce two-factor authentication (2FA) on all email accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
• Regularly audit your accounts and financial transactions for signs of irregularities.
• Set up a policy that all wire transfers and payments require verbal confirmation from a second person.

3. Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware attacks involve malicious software that encrypts your organization’s files or locks your system, rendering it inoperable until a ransom is paid. Nonprofits, with limited cybersecurity resources, are often targeted by cybercriminals who know that these organizations may be more likely to pay to avoid disruption. A ransomware attack can paralyze your operations, causing significant damage to your reputation and financial health.

How to Avoid It:

• Regularly back up your data and store it in a secure, offline location.
• Install and update antivirus and anti-malware software to detect and block ransomware threats.
• Train employees to recognize suspicious links or attachments that could contain ransomware.

4. Charity Fraud

Cybercriminals may also use your nonprofit’s good name to solicit donations from the public. They often create fake websites or social media pages that resemble your organization’s online presence. These scammers prey on well-meaning individuals who want to contribute to a cause, but instead of donating to your nonprofit, the funds are funneled into the scammer’s pockets.

How to Avoid It:

• Regularly monitor the web for any fraudulent websites or social media accounts impersonating your nonprofit.
• Make sure your donation page is secure, and clearly communicate to donors how they can safely give to your cause.
• Report any fraudulent activity to the authorities and inform your supporters of any scams.

5. Grant Scams

Nonprofits often rely on grants to fund their programs and initiatives. Unfortunately, scammers know this and may target your organization with fraudulent grant offers. These scams usually promise large sums of money in exchange for a fee or donation upfront. Once the payment is made, the scammer disappears, and the nonprofit is left without the promised funding.

How to Avoid It:

• Be cautious of unsolicited grant offers, especially those requiring an upfront payment.
• Verify the legitimacy of any grant offer by researching the organization or government agency offering it.
• Consult with experts or trusted partners before committing to any grant opportunity that seems too good to be true.

How IntermixIT Can Help

As a nonprofit, cybersecurity might not be top of mind as you focus on your mission, but it’s critical to protect your organization from these cyber scams. IntermixIT specializes in providing cybersecurity services tailored to the needs of nonprofits. From phishing protection to ransomware defense, we can help you set up a robust cybersecurity framework to prevent scams and secure your valuable data.

Book a free 15-minute consultation with our team to discuss how we can help protect your nonprofit from these growing cyber threats. We’re here to make sure you stay safe while continuing to do the important work you do.

FAQs:

1. What is a phishing scam, and how can nonprofits protect against it?
Phishing scams involve cybercriminals impersonating legitimate entities to steal sensitive information. Nonprofits can protect against phishing by training staff to recognize suspicious emails and using email filtering systems to block malicious messages.

2. How does Business Email Compromise (BEC) work?
BEC scams target nonprofit employees, often in finance roles, by compromising an email account and using it to send fraudulent wire transfer requests. Protect against BEC by enabling two-factor authentication on email accounts and auditing financial transactions.

3. What is ransomware, and how can nonprofits prevent it?
Ransomware is malicious software that locks or encrypts an organization’s files until a ransom is paid. Nonprofits can prevent ransomware by backing up data regularly, using antivirus software, and educating employees about avoiding suspicious emails.

4. How do scammers impersonate nonprofits for charity fraud?
Scammers create fake websites or social media accounts to solicit donations from unsuspecting donors. Nonprofits can prevent charity fraud by monitoring the web for impersonators and ensuring that their donation pages are secure.

5. How do grant scams target nonprofits?
Grant scams promise funding in exchange for an upfront fee, but once the payment is made, the scammer disappears. Nonprofits should be cautious of unsolicited grant offers and verify the legitimacy of any funding opportunity before committing.

6. What are the signs of a phishing email?
Phishing emails often contain urgent messages, spelling errors, or requests for sensitive information. Nonprofits can train staff to identify these red flags and report suspicious emails immediately.

7. How can nonprofits recover from a ransomware attack?
Nonprofits can recover from ransomware by restoring files from secure backups. It’s essential to regularly back up important data and have a response plan in place for cybersecurity incidents.

8. What steps should nonprofits take to ensure their donation pages are secure?
Nonprofits should use SSL encryption for donation pages, regularly update software, and monitor for signs of fraudulent activity. Transparency about donation methods can also help build trust with supporters.

9. Are grant scams on the rise in the nonprofit sector?
Yes, grant scams targeting nonprofits have increased as scammers exploit organizations’ need for funding. Nonprofits should always verify grant offers with trusted sources before making any payments.

10. How can IntermixIT help protect my nonprofit from cyber scams?
IntermixIT offers cybersecurity services tailored to nonprofits, including email security, ransomware prevention, and ongoing monitoring to protect your organization from scams and cyberattacks.