BBB warns scammers are targeting small businesses during COVID-19 pandemic

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Small businesses, struggling to stay afloat, are now the target of scammers. 

The Better Business Bureau says criminals are spoofing phone numbers and emails that look like they're from the Small Business Administration.

The scammer offers a small business grant and asks the person to fill out an application, which includes banking information and paying a fee.

The BBB warns scammers are also using social media.

"You'll also see a Facebook post, supposedly fro a friend of yours, stating they just got some free government money from a grant," said Jim Temmer of the BBB Serving Wisconsin. "So people always wonder what happens if someone breaks into your Facebook account, this is what happens. They use it to drive home their message."

The federal stimulus package does include help for some small businesses.

If you want to make sure a small business grant is legitimate, make sure you're going to websites that end in .gov -- and reach out to the Small Business Administration to make sure it's legitimate.