Identity fraud and cybercrime impact Southwest Florida residents and businesses daily. These criminal activities are expanding and will find us if we’re not aware and prepared. To become better informed and equipped to protect our businesses, the Above Board Chamber of Florida has assembled a group of experts to teach us how to recognize and avoid online activities designed to harm our businesses and our personal lives.
Some of the more common cybercrime complaints affecting our local businesses are:
- Internet fraud – Scams designed to scare individuals into paying vast sums of money
- Phishing – This is an email scam in which the criminal sends out legitimate-looking emails that appear to be from respected companies in an attempt to gather personally identifiable information from recipients
- Malware – An increasing threat to both business and home users, this malicious software is used by hackers to remotely access computers to steal, corrupt, or destroy important data
- Spyware – The use of computer technology to gather information about a person or business without consent
- Internet hoaxes – Email messages warning of a phony virus or otherwise trying to deceive the recipient
The Naples seminar is Monday, August 9 from 11:30 to 1:00 at the Hilton Naples, located at 5111 Tamiami Trail N. John Huttner, President of HollingerJobs.com, and Matt Moen, owner of M & M’s Cafe & Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream are the seminar sponsors.
Naples panelists include Rachel Busch of Cigent Technology, Inc.; Carrie Kerskie, CEO at Kerskie Group, LLC; Janet Moore, Risk Consultant at BKS-Partners; James Ritter, CEO and Founder of Pulse Business Solutions; and Attorney Chris Vernon of The Vernon Litigation Group Team. The August 9 Naples seminar will be emceed by Cindy McCurry-Ross, Executive Editor, The News-Press and Naples Daily News.
The early bird cost for those who purchase tickets on or before Aug. 5 is $33 for members and $35 for non-members. Regular registration after Aug. 5 is $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Lunch is included.
The Fort Myers seminar will be held Thursday, August 12 from 11:30 to 1:00 at the Crowne Plaza Bell Tower located at 13051 Bell Tower Drive. Steve Niehaus of Edison Business Advisors and Elaine Green, R.N. and John J. Green, D.O. Internal Medicine, are the Fort Myers seminar sponsors.
Panelists for the Fort Myers seminar on Aug. 12 are Rachel Busch of Cigent Technology, Inc.; Carrie Kerskie, CEO at Kerskie Group, LLC; Janet Moore, Risk Consultant at BKS-Partners; Mark Nieds, Chair of Henderson Franklin’s Intellectual Property Practice Group; and James Ritter, CEO and Founder of Pulse Business Solutions. Dave Elias, Chief Political Correspondent at WBBH NBC-2, will be the emcee.
Early bird admission for the Fort Myers luncheon are available through Aug. 6 at the rates of $33 for members and $35 for non-members. After Aug. 6, the regular registration fees are $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Lunch is included.
To register, visit AboveBoardChamber.com or use the links below:
Naples: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ei6gvbu68def9238&oseq=&c=&ch=
Fort Myers: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ei6ixtxs736b6509&oseq=&c=&ch=