05/03/2026
Did you know just how much of our local economy is built on small businesses?
● 7 out of 8 businesses in Oakland County are small — about 25,000 of them
â—Ź 96% of Michigan's private businesses are small firms, employing nearly half the state's workforce
â—ŹSmall businesses created 9 out of every 10 net new jobs in the U.S. last year
This week, we're celebrating them — the small business owners who make our community what it is.
But running a small business has never been easy, and these days it's getting harder in a place most owners don't expect: fraud.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and small businesses are increasingly in their crosshairs — from check fraud and phishing schemes to fake new-hire scams and altered payments.
That's why we put together this guide on fighting back against business check fraud — what to watch for, the tools that help, and what to do if something does go wrong.
And mark your calendar: on May 12, we're hosting a free in-person event with U.S. Secret Service Agent Scott Klein, who'll share real cases and practical steps for protecting your business. Link to registration in the comments.
To every small business owner reading this — we're grateful to be alongside you.
