With Sophisticated Restaurant Scams Plaguing the Industry, Can Businesses Stop the Deception?

The restaurant industry, already grappling with the challenges of
the pandemic, now faces another menace: sophisticated restaurant
scams. As eateries worldwide strive to recover, many of them fall
prey to scammers. QR codes, which gained popularity in
restaurants during the pandemic, are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
The National Restaurant Association puts restaurant losses due to
fraud as much as 4% of sales annually. There is no doubt; fraud
and scams are on the rise. Still, with customers wanting to use
the convenience of QR codes and access to free Wi-Fi, risks are
part of the territory for the restaurant industry.


But what exactly are these scams, and how can restaurant owners
protect themselves?


Welcome to The Main Course, hosted by Barbara Castiglia. In this
episode, Castiglia looks into the issue of sophisticated
restaurant scams. Joining her is David McClellan, the president,
and CEO of Social Catfish, an expert in online scams and
deceptive practices.


Castiglia and McClellan discuss the following issues:


• The rise of business email compromise scams


• The shift in scammer focus during the COVID-19 pandemic


• The dangers of data breaches and the importance of online
security


A seasoned internet marketer, David McClellan unexpectedly found
himself at the forefront of the fight against online scams. With
a background in running some of the world’s largest websites,
David’s journey with Social Catfish began as a simple website
project. Today, it is a beacon of hope for those looking to
protect themselves online. Despite not having a formal college
degree, David’s self-taught expertise and dedication have led him
to work with major companies, helping millions stay safe online.


The episode sheds light on the various scams plaguing the
restaurant industry. From fake utility bill threats during peak
business hours to convoluted reservation scams promising large
orders, restaurant owners are constantly on their toes. With the
internet still resembling the “Wild Wild West,” the episode
emphasizes the importance of education, awareness, and the right
tools to combat these threats.