Published: May 18, 2026 7:00 am
Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) is a mission-driven, nonprofit Connecticut economic development organization. It provides business loans in disadvantaged communities defined by the state, and in other Connecticut municipalities it lends to business borrowers with household incomes below the state median.
Part of CEDF’s mission is to educate small business owners with free or low-cost training seminars. The next free webinar is planned for Thursday, June 25, 1-2 pm, “Keep Your Business Safe from Fraud.”
Fraud prevention is not about fear, complex technology, or assuming “it will not happen to me.” For small businesses operating in fast-moving, real-world environments, protecting a business is something far more practical — and far more essential.
A strong approach to fraud awareness is built intentionally, rooted in education, vigilance,…
This remains the most prevalent form of financial crime globally. It targets the direct access points to your money: your cards and your bank accounts.
- Skimming: Criminals use small devices called “skimmers” placed over ATM or point-of-sale card slots to capture the data from your card’s magnetic strip.
- Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud: This occurs during online shopping where a physical card isn’t required. Thieves use stolen card numbers, expiry dates, and CVV codes to make unauthorized purchases.
- Account Takeover (ATO): A hacker gains access to your online banking credentials (often through malware or phishing) and changes the contact details or passwords, locking you out while they drain your funds.