Many businesses have recently received suspicious phone calls or voicemails claiming they qualify for a major refund credit from a company called “Easy Returns.” The pre-recorded or live caller insists your business is owed money and you need to contact them immediately to submit your claim. However, this is a scam tactic being used to harvest business information and payments from unsuspecting companies. This article outlines what you need to know about spotting and avoiding the Easy Returns refund scam call.
Scam Overview
This scam starts with an unsolicited phone call or voicemail stating it is from “Easy Returns” or a similar-sounding company name. The call explains that your business is eligible for a large refund credit, but you need to contact them to submit your claim right away.
However, no legitimate company randomly calls out of the blue promising guaranteed refunds to random businesses. The calls are simply a ruse to obtain business owners’ personal details and payment information under the guise of processing the fake refund.
Once contacted, the scammers use high-pressure tactics to get businesses to hand over sensitive data and pay mysterious “processing fees.” With enough information, the scammers can steal identities, commit invoice fraud, drain accounts, and more.
This refund scam call is on the rise and fooling owners who trust the seemingly official prerecorded messages. But engaging with the scammers only leads to losses, which makes avoiding the calls key.
How the Easy Returns Refund Scam Works
Here are the typical steps scammers take to perpetrate the Easy Returns refund scam call:
The Initial Cold Call or Voicemail
Businesses receive an unsolicited robocall or voicemail message claiming to be from “Easy Returns,” “Return Solutions,” or a similar fictional company name.
The pre-recorded message congratulates the business, saying they qualify for a refund credit between $2,000 to $9,000 from supplies, utility bills, or other vague expenses.
To claim the refund, the recipient is instructed to call or press 1 to connect to a representative right away, often within a short window like 24-48 hours. A callback number is provided.
Speaking to the Fake Refund Department
When targets call the number, a live scammer answers the phone posing as a refund processing agent. They reiterate that the business is eligible for the large refund credit as promised.
To start the process, the scammer asks questions to learn more about the business, owner, and operations, including:
- Business name, address, phone, website
- Owner names, phone numbers, email addresses
- Tax ID numbers or Employer Identification Numbers
- Industry, number of locations, years in business
- Vendors, suppliers, utility providers used
- Banking institutions and account information
Paying the Fake “Refund Release Fee”
Once business details are provided, the scammer claims there is a small “release fee” required before they can process and issue the refund credit. This is usually $200-500.
The scammers insist all refunds require this mandatory payment in advance and it will be returned to the business along with the full credit owed.
To pay the fake fee, the scammers may:
- Request bank account login credentials to pull the fee amount
- Ask for credit/debit card numbers to charge the fee
- Try to obtain mobile/online banking logins from victims
- Direct owners to third-party payment services to send the money
Stealing Funds and Identities
In reality, there is no refund credit – the entire premise is fabricated. By paying any “fee,” businesses are simply sending money directly to scammers.
With all the sensitive information gathered, scammers can now also commit identity theft and wider fraud such as:
- Impersonating the business owners to open accounts or make purchases
- Filing fake tax returns, wage reports, and invoices with stolen business data
- Committing payroll and vendor fraud using bank/accounting system access
- Charging exorbitant fees for fake services to provided payment methods
A single phone call can quickly snowball into devastating financial and identity theft damages against a scammed business.
What to Do If You Receive This Scam Call
If your business is targeted by a suspicious Easy Returns refund call, do the following:
- Do not press 1 or call back any number left on a voicemail message. Avoid engaging with scammers entirely.
- Look up the phone number online to check for scam reports and confirm it is not tied to a real company.
- Check with suppliers and utilities directly to ask about refund programs and eligibility requirements. Do not rely on an unsolicited call.
- Contact your bank and accounting providers to monitor for any suspicious new activity.
- Change account passwords and enable stronger security settings as a precaution.
- Warn employees about this refund scam call so no one engages if contacted.
What to Do if You Already Spoke to the Scammers
If you already called back and provided business or financial information, take these steps right away:
- Call your bank and stop any pending transfers or charges authorized. Freeze accounts as a precaution.
- Contact credit card companies and flag fraudulent charges. Cancel cards that were compromised.
- Change all account passwords provided over the phone. Enable enhanced security like multi-factor authentication.
- Watch for unauthorized account access, charges, and identity theft. Check statements closely.
- Speak to your suppliers and utility companies directly to confirm if refunds you qualified for are real.
- Report the scam call to the FTC and FCC to aid investigations.
- Contact major credit bureaus to place fraud alerts if personal identities may be compromised.
- Remove phone numbers, bank details, and other info provided to scammers from business websites and directories.
- If you suspect your device is infected with malware, you should run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
8 FAQs About the Easy Returns Refund Scam
1. How do scammers know who to target with this refund call?
Scammers purchase business contact lists online or through illicit databases. They use auto-dialers to call numbers randomly hoping to convince some victims the promise is real.
2. Can I trust a call just because it used my business name?
No. Scammers can easily obtain names through public sources or directories. Use of your name doesn’t mean the call is legitimate. Verify independently.
3. Would a real refund company leave a voicemail promising guaranteed money?
No. If a business truly owed a refund, a vendor would contact them directly, not through a vague cold call. Approach any unsolicited call promising money with extreme skepticism.
4. What government agencies oversee refund scams?
Report refund scam calls to the FTC and FCC to aid investigations and awareness. The IRS handles reports of fraudulent tax refund filing.
5. Can I get back money paid as a “fee” to scammers?
Unfortunately, it is very rare to recover money given voluntarily in a scam. Banks may not cover authorized payments you confirm. Cease all engagement with scammers if money was lost.
6. How do scammers profit from just my business info?
Scammers can use business info to file fake invoices, divert payments, commit payroll fraud, open credit cards, take out loans, and more. Treat your data as sensitive.
7. Should I register my business number on the Do Not Call registry?
Yes. Register business, company, and personal numbers associated with your company on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unsolicited calls.
8. Where can I learn more about common business scams?
Check the FTC and state attorneys general websites for updates on current widespread business scams to avoid. Trade associations also share scam warnings.
In Summary
Phone calls promising your business is owed a major refund credit require extreme caution. If you receive an unsolicited call from “Easy Returns” or similar, avoid calling them back or providing any sensitive details. Do your own diligent verification around refund eligibility. Remember, real companies will not promise you guaranteed money out of the blue through a vague cold call. Question all scammers using this refund tactic in an attempt to swindle your business.
