Scams

Protecting the shop isn't just about locking the front door; it’s about locking the "digital" door, too. Scammers love targeting busy food service and retail environments because they hope to catch someone off-guard during a rush.

Here are some guidelines designed for your team to keep the store—and the team—safe.

🛡️ The "Think Twice" Security Guide

Our Policy: No team member is ever authorized to provide sensitive information or move money over the phone, via text, or through email. When in doubt, hang up or log out.

1. Phone Scams (Vishing)

Scammers often pretend to be from the Electric Company (threatening to shut off power), the Bank, or even Corporate/the Owner.

• The Red Flags:

  • Urgency: "If you don't pay $500 right now, we are cutting the power in 10 minutes."

  • Strange Payment Methods: Asking for payment via Zelle, Venmo, Wire Transfer, or Gift Cards. (No legitimate utility company or bank will ever ask for a gift card).

  • Asking for Passwords: No one from the bank or "IT" needs your login password.

• The Protocol:

  • It is 100% okay to hang up.

  • Immediately call your Store Manager or the Owner on their known personal number to verify the story.

  • Never use a "callback number" provided by the caller.

2. Text & Email Scams (Phishing)

These often look like "official" alerts from a delivery service (UPS/FedEx) or an invoice that needs to be paid.

• The Red Flags:

  • Links: A text saying "Action required: Click here to verify your banking info."

  • The "Boss" Request: An email that looks like it's from the owner saying, "I'm in a meeting and need you to buy some gift cards for a client."

• The Protocol:

  • Do not click links.

  • Check the sender's email address. If it says "OwnerName@gmail.com" but the real owner uses a different address, it's a scam.

  • Wait for a manager to verify any "urgent" digital requests.

3. Protecting Financial & Personal Info

Nothing leaves the site. Banking and personal data are strictly confidential.

• Never Give Out:

  • Banking Info: Account numbers or routing numbers.

  • Personal Info: Your Social Security Number, home address, or the Manager’s personal details.

  • On-Site Cash: Never take money from the register or the safe to meet someone "off-site", take it to any other location to do a mobile deposit for a QR code to send the person or to deposit it into a random ATM for a "bill."

• The Protocol:

  • All bills and banking are handled through official corporate channels, never by a team member over a phone call.

🛑 The "Golden Rule" for the Team

"If a stranger is asking for money or info, I will hang up, stop and call my manager."

How to handle a suspicious caller:

1. Be Polite but Firm: "I am not authorized to provide that information or handle payments over the phone."

2. Hang Up: You do not need the caller’s permission to end the call.

3. Report It: Tell the manager on duty immediately. If no manager is on-site, call them.

Remember: You will never get in trouble for hanging up on a scammer or taking an extra five minutes to verify a request with your manager. Your caution protects us all!

Would you like me to condense this into a "Quick Reference" poster that you can pin up in the back room?