Keeping Your Website Team Page Current & How That Can Stop Scammers

I recently had a conversation with a financial planning client who was bringing on a new team member. She said several times, "As soon as I have her bio and her headshot, I want them up on the website and for us to send out an email introducing them."

Of course, I want to make sure things stay current on the website team page, but her sense of urgency about this went beyond that: "I want to make sure that people know that this person is legit. They need to be able to look at my website and know that this is someone on my staff and not a scammer."

So, I'm all ready to create a social media post about making sure your team page is correct on your website, when the cynical side of me reared its ugly head.

What if a scammer looks on your website and decides to impersonate a member of your staff?

This is especially concerning in any industry where money is changing hands. So...um...any business.

As you're introducing this new person to your clients, it might be worth including these tips in your email and social media outreach (maybe even on the team page):

Double-Check Before Sharing Any Information

If you get a message out of the blue asking for personal details or money, pause before responding. Instead, take a moment to:

• Call the company using the phone number on their official website.

• Log into your secure client portal (if you have one) to send a direct message.

• Ask for a quick video call—scammers often try to avoid face-to-face interactions.

A little verification can go a long way in keeping your info safe!

Watch Out for Unusual or Pushy Requests

Scammers love to create a sense of urgency—like telling you there’s a problem with your account or that you need to send money ASAP. If something feels off, take a breath and check:

• Is this a normal way for the company to contact you?

• Are they asking for payment in an unusual way (like gift cards or a wire transfer)?

• Is the email address slightly different from the company’s real one?

If any of these red flags pop up, it’s worth confirming before you respond.

Check the Email Address and Website Carefully

Even if an email looks legit, scammers are great at making small tweaks to trick you. Always:

• Hover over the sender’s email address to see the full domain (real ones match the company’s website).

• Look for odd spellings or extra characters in website links.

• Avoid clicking on links in unexpected messages—go directly to the company’s website instead.

Confirm Video Calls and Appointments the Right Way

If someone asks to schedule a call or meeting, make sure they use the company’s normal process. Scammers might set up fake video calls just to gain your trust before asking for money or private information.

• Does the meeting request come through the usual scheduling system?

• Are they using a different app or video platform than normal?

When in doubt, reach out to your provider through a trusted method before confirming.

Stick to Official Payment Methods

Legitimate companies don’t usually ask for payment through Venmo, CashApp, or gift cards. If someone claiming to be from your provider asks for an unusual payment method, stop and check:

• Are they asking for a payment to a different business name?

• Is the payment method different from what you’ve used before?

When it comes to payments, it’s always better to double-check before sending money.

Report Anything Suspicious

If you think a scammer is pretending to be someone from a company you work with, don’t keep it to yourself. Let the company know right away so they can warn others. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help stop fraudsters in their tracks.

It might also be helpful to detail specific ways your company works. For example:

• We would never ask for your Social Security number, account passwords, or banking details via email, text, or social media.

• We would never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers to unknown accounts, or peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or CashApp.

• We would never pressure you to make an urgent financial decision without giving you time to verify the request.

If you ever receive a suspicious message claiming to be from us, please do not respond. Instead, contact our office directly at [Your Firm’s Phone Number] or log into your client portal to verify.