Protect your business from fake invoice scams

Fraudsters send invoices to your business to get you to pay for goods and services you never ordered or received. These invoices may look genuine and include legal jargon that pressures you into acting quickly to make a payment. Check your invoices and be aware of the warning signs of fake invoice scams to help keep your business safe.

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What you need to know

Educate employees to be diligent and identify any signs of fake invoice scams. Fraudsters will seek out opportunities to exploit any vulnerability in a company and its processes.
Check the details of any new or updated payment instructions by confirming with the vendor and using the information on file. Don't rely only on new instructions.
Be wary of emails with attachments. Fraudsters may imitate email addresses and use attachments to get your information and money.

What's a fake invoice scam?

This is when a fraudster impersonates real vendors that your business works with in order to take advantage of your trust. The fraudster may claim that the invoice details for their goods and services have changed or they haven't received a payment. By impersonating the vendor, the fraudster may ask you to update the banking information on file so future payments are directed to them.

Warning signs of fake invoice scams

You get a request to change banking information for one of your vendors
The vendor pressures you to pay quickly to avoid legal action
You receive an email from an unknown vendor requesting payment for an invoice
The invoice request and the accompanied language is unusual for the vendor
You receive an invoice from the vendor with a request to bypass normal policies and procedures

Stay safe with our tips

Create a process for inspecting invoices before paying them, such as confirming you received all the goods or services you ordered.
Set up a single point of contact with the company you do business with regularly.
Don't feel pressured to act quickly. If an invoice or request seems suspicious, confirm the request by calling the vendor on a known contact number.
Pay attention to each invoice and compare it to previous legitimate ones you received from your vendor. Focus on the bank account details, language and the company logo.
Don't publicize your relationships with vendors, such as advertising it on your company website or social media channels. This can help prevent fraudsters from identifying your vendors and targeting you.

Notice anything suspicious? Let us know

Report fraud

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