Newham businesses are being warned of a new emerging scam that targets them applying for the Government’s Small Business Grants programme.
The scam starts with businesses receiving fake emails stating that it is from the local authority. The email says that a cash grant application has been processed and asks that businesses clicks on the requested link. Once the link is opened, it leads to a request for an advance fee or tries to capture bank and card details to receive a payment.
Newham Council’s Business Rates Team are NOT sending out any confirmation emails to businesses once their application has been processed.
Councillor Terry Paul, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services said:
“This is a cleverly disguised scam designed to defraud Newham’s businesses, during these challenging times. Businesses should note that the council is not sending out confirmation emails, after processing their applications. People will be sent letters to inform them about their application status instead and the money will go straight into the business’s bank account, which is already checked through the current Business Rates system.”
The Council do not issue any payments and business owners are being asked by the council to submit bank details only via the following link: www.newham.gov.uk/Businesssupportcovid19
If anyone has any concerns about their business, they can contact the Council’s helpline on 0208 430 3250 or email business.rates@onesource.co.uk.