Potential Fraud in Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) Program
Nov 03, 2020
The Small Business Association (SBA) issued a report back in July 2020 stating ‘serious concerns’ of potential fraud related to the EIDL Program. The SBA’s inspector general raised red flags about more than $78 billion in aid approved for businesses under the agency’s program — about 37% percent of the total amount distributed — and warned billions might have been fraudulently obtained by individuals taking out loans on behalf of companies.
WVC has received reports of this happening in Northwest Ohio. Fraudsters have taken loans out on behalf of companies and it isn’t until those companies apply for a legitimate new loan or go through a bank review are the fraudulent EIDL loans discovered.
As of today, the Federal Trade Commission has calculated $170 million in fraud losses related to COVID-19 of which roughly $2 million has occurred in Ohio and $3 million in Michigan. Cybercriminals began capitalizing on the ever-changing pandemic from the moment it began. It is unfortunate to hear, but a reality of the world we live in today.
As fraudsters exploit the ongoing pandemic, we wanted to share with you the suggested steps our in-house Risk Services Leader, Tiffany Pollard, recommends should you find yourself in a similar position:
- Work directly with the banking institution which experienced the fraudulent EIDL transaction and inquire if they will provide coverage for credit monitoring; and,
- Review the FTC website with recommendations on what to do when your personally identifiable data has been compromised:
a. https://www.identitytheft.gov/Steps
b. https://www.identitytheft.gov/Info-Lost-or-Stolen
To prevent such fraud, here are some recommendations you can do now:
- Activate credit monitoring at the three credit bureaus for your business and personal credit.
- Work with your banking institution to ensure you are using the available financial transaction monitoring available to detect fraud.
- Ensure you have cybersecurity and identity theft expense reimbursement insurance. Cybersecurity and identity theft insurance can help you pay for expenses associated with resulting losses and provide tools to reduce the risk of additional fraud.
- Complete a Security Assessment by an independent cybersecurity team. This evaluates current information technology systems to identify vulnerabilities and review the dark web for possible user name and password loss. Completing a preventative assessment can give you peace-of-mind knowing you have mitigated vulnerabilities within your network.
Having plans in place before such an issue occurs will enable your business to confidently manage such a tense situation. If you have any questions, please reach out to your WVC Advisor to Tiffany Pollard directly. WVC is here to help you.
Tiffany Pollard, CISA
Risk Services Practice Leader, William Vaughan Company
Tiffany.pollard@wvco.com | 419.891.1040
Categories: COVID-19
Small Business Loans & Grants Available To Overcome COVID-19 Impact
Mar 23, 2020
Monday, March 23, 2020
The Federal Reserve announced today an unlimited expansion of bond purchasing programs to help the U.S. economy due to the near-total shutdown to fight the coronavirus.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said is he working closely with the Fed to ensure small businesses get the money they need quickly to survive. The bill in Congress would enable small businesses with 500 or fewer employees to get an SBA-backed grant to cover approximately two months’ payroll and some overhead expenses. Methods to distribute the money quickly are being debated, including an option to route the funds through payroll companies. About 40% of all U.S. businesses use a payroll service to process their employees’ payroll.
Businesses in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (in addition to the potential grant) provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million to provide economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
The Fed also announced Monday it will buy certain corporate bonds and said it will “soon” announce a Main Street Business Lending Program. These programs are meant to provide ample availability of loans to small and large businesses on top of any efforts Congress does.
Many businesses have business interruption insurance although there is debate on whether a pandemic would be considered since it is not an act of God. Now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.
Categories: Other Resources