News from the Chamber - December 24th, 2024

Building Business for a Strong Community

Tuesday, December 24th, 2024

First Benefits Mutual specializes in North Carolina Worker's compensation and has

been providing quality service to Chamber members for over 20 years.

Chamber Calendar

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Outdoor Events Calendar

Who is Hiring? Check out Member Job Postings

Helene Relief Resources

City and County - Helene Relief

LoveHendo Business Recovery Fund

Dogwood Health Trust - Helene Resources

Community Foundation of WNC Emergency and Disaster Response Fund

Mountain Bizworks WNC Strong - Helene Business Recovery Fund

FEMA

SBA

US Chamber

News and Information

Season's Greetings from Your Chamber

12.23.2024

As the year comes to a close, the Chamber staff would like to take a moment to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This season is a time to reflect on the challenges we’ve faced together, the accomplishments we’ve achieved, and the exciting opportunities ahead.

Looking Back: Supporting Local Businesses Through Hurricane Helene

This year, Hurricane Helene brought unexpected challenges to many of our local businesses. We are proud to have partnered with the Community Foundation, The Partnership, Friends of Downtown, the TDA, and the Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College to launch the LoveHendo Business Recovery Fund. Together, we were able to provide vital grants to help our business community recover and move forward.

Looking Ahead to 2025

102nd Annual Dinner & Awards

Join us on Tuesday, January 30th, 2025, at Blue Ridge Community College for the 102nd Annual Dinner & Awards. This celebration honors the achievements of the past year and brings our business community together for an inspiring evening. Tickets are $75 per person or $600 for a table of 8. Contact the Chamber to reserve your spot.

Apple Festival Races

In August, the Apple Festival Races are getting an upgrade! We’re excited to announce new medals and a special limited-edition long-sleeve shirt for early registrants. Register between January 13th and February 1st to claim yours.

Membership Check-Up

As we prepare for 2025, now is the perfect time to ensure your membership information is up to date. Confirm your representatives, email addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses so we can continue to serve you effectively. Staying connected helps you make the most of your membership benefits.

Your Chamber in Action

Throughout the year, we remain dedicated to advocating for local businesses through public policy, recruiting new businesses, and creating opportunities for networking, learning, and growth.

Thank you for being part of our Chamber community. We’re proud to work with you and for you, and we’re excited to continue this partnership in the year ahead.

Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season and a prosperous 2025!

Your Chamber Team

Safeguarding Employees' W-2 Forms From Cybercriminals

Article by Cbiz

12.09.2024

While filing taxes may not be at the top of the list of fun things to do, employees who anticipate a tax refund look forward to receiving their W-2 form. Along with the amount of taxes paid, that form also includes employees' social security numbers and income details, and those small details make the form something cybercriminals want to get their hands on as well.

During the 2023 tax filing season, the IRS identified 1.1 million potentially fraudulent tax returns. While only 12,617 were confirmed fraudulent, that was an increase of 31% from the 9,626 fraudulent tax returns they reported in 2022, underscoring the importance of securing employees' W-2 information.

The Risks of W-2 Information Falling into the Wrong Hands

Criminals can obtain W-2 information and use it to their advantage in several ways. One common tactic is phishing emails or phone calls, where scammers pose as IRS agents or company executives requesting W-2 information under the guise of "verifying" employee data. Another method is hacking into company databases or obtaining physical copies of W-2 forms.

The consequences of a successful attack on an employer's W-2 records can be devastating for both the employees and the company. Not only can it lead to identity theft and financial loss for individual employees, but it can also result in legal and financial repercussions for the company, such as fines and damage to its reputation.