Protect Your Construction Firm from Email Compromises

What if the biggest threat to your projects isn’t bad weather or supply chain issues but instead is Construction Firm Email Compromises (The truth is – IT IS!)

Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams are skyrocketing, and construction firms in Rockland County, Bergen County and surrounding areas are exactly what the hackers are looking for. These criminals are now using AI-driven tactics to impersonate executives, suppliers, and clients – tricking your employees into sending money or revealing sensitive data about your company.

Why Should Construction Firms Worry About these Attacks?

BEC isn’t just another phishing scam – it’s a calculated attack. Hackers gain access to, or impersonate legit looking email accounts. Then they send convincing messages that appear to be from trusted sources.

Unlike malware-based cyberattacks, BEC relies on manipulating human behavior, making it easier to execute and harder to detect, not to mention incredibly costly. In 2023 alone, BEC scams led to $2,946,830,270 (that’s in the BILLIONS) in losses, and incidents are up nearly 58% since 2020.

Here’s why this is especially dangerous for construction firms in Rockland County:

High-dollar transactions: Large wire transfers and supplier payments make construction firms attractive targets.
Fast-paced work environment: Tight deadlines mean employees might rush to process payment requests without double-checking for red flags.
Many Subcontractors & Vendors: Hackers often impersonate subcontractors and suppliers to redirect payments to their own accounts.
Remote project management: With your team working across multiple job sites – securing communications can be more challenging and leads to increased risks.

Common Construction Firm Email Compromises

🚧 Fake Vendor Invoices – Fraudsters pose as suppliers or subcontractors, sending invoices that look identical to real ones but with altered bank details.

🚧 CEO / CFO Fraud – Hackers impersonate company executives via email, demanding urgent wire transfers. The pressure tactic works—employees comply without questioning.

🚧 Compromised Email Accounts – Criminals hack an actual email account in your company and send fake payment requests that look completely legitimate.

🚧 Third-Party Vendor Impersonation – Attackers spoof a trusted vendor’s email and request payment or sensitive project details.

How to Protect Your Business from BEC Attacks

Train Your Team Like It’s a Jobsite Safety Briefing

Train your team to spot red flags like urgent payment requests or sudden changes in received bank account details.
Require verbal confirmation before approving large transactions – especially when dealing with new or updated payment instructions.

Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA stops hackers from accessing your email accounts, even if they steal a password. Make sure it’s enabled on all business-critical accounts.

Strengthen Email Security

Use advanced email filters to detect phishing attempts and impersonation scams.
Setup rule-monitoring to ensure new email rules aren’t added in the event of a compromised account.
Audit who has access to financial data—not everyone needs full permissions.

Verify All Financial Transactions

Always confirm payment details in two methods. E.g. the initial email and THEN a phone call.
Establish a strict approval process for wire transfers and other large financial transactions.

Work with a Construction-Focused IT Provider

A Rockland County based Managed IT Provider (MSP) like us can implement cybersecurity strategies tailored to the unique needs of construction firms like yours.

Your Next Steps – Lock Down Your Security

Cybercriminals are evolving, but you can stay ahead of the game. By securing your email accounts, training employees, and verifying transactions, you can protect your firm from losing hundreds of thousands of dollars to a scammers.

Need an expert to help you stay ahead of these threats? Give us a call at (877) 807-1332 or schedule a discovery session here.