How to Spot (and Ignore) Business Scams Before They Cost You
A note about spammers, scammers, and unsolicited “help”
Like you, I receive a steady stream of unsolicited emails, texts, calls, DMs, and even physical mail.
Every day.
“We reviewed your website and found serious problems.”
“We can get you on the first page of Google.”
“We provide $100,000 in capital to businesses like yours.”
“A buyer is interested in acquiring your company for $500,000.”
“You owe $136 to renew your domain name.”
None of them are real.
They Know Just Enough to Sound Convincing
These messages aren’t random.
They’ve harvested public data:
- your business name
- your domain
- your phone number
- your mailing address
They insert just enough truth to feel legitimate. But they don’t actually know your business.
They are casting a wide net.
I Don’t Respond
Not even to correct them.
Not even to tell them off.
Responding confirms:
- the email is active
- the phone number works
- someone is reading
Once that happens, the volume increases.
They are relentless because it works.
Why They Make Money
They catch people at vulnerable moments.
When someone is:
- frustrated with their website
- unsure about domain renewal
- worried about search rankings
- needing capital
The message hits at just the right time.
And when that happens, people click.
That’s when the trouble begins.
Domain Renewal Letters Are a Classic
One of the oldest tricks is the “domain renewal notice” in your physical mailbox.
It looks official.
It references your domain name.
It lists a renewal fee far above market rate.
But if you registered your domain through Hover or Namecheap, and you suddenly receive a paper invoice from a company you’ve never heard of, that is not your registrar.
It’s a transfer attempt.
If you pay it, you may unintentionally move your domain to them at an inflated price. Or lose it entirely, then have to pay a ransom to get it back.
Legitimate Businesses Don’t Operate This Way
Real banks are not sending mass unsolicited emails offering you capital.
Reputable web developers are not blasting out hundreds of thousands of messages telling strangers their websites are broken.
Established companies don’t lead with panic.
Scammers do.
Here’s the Rule
If an unsolicited message interests you:
Do not click the link.
Do not reply to the email.
Do not call the number provided.
Instead:
Open a new browser tab.
Search independently.
Contact companies directly through their official websites.
If you need a web developer, search “web developer near me.”
If you need a business line of credit, contact your bank.
Never follow the trail they provide.
I Train My Clients to Do One Thing
Forward it to me.
If they’re unsure, they send it over.
My reply is almost always the same:
Scam. Delete.
It’s not dramatic. It’s just pattern recognition.
Protect Your Business
You worked hard to build it.
Don’t hand control of your domain, website, or financial information to someone who reached out to you unsolicited.
Delete the message.
Move on.
And if you’re unsure — ask someone you trust before you click anything.
