Fake invoices demand payment for goods or services that neither the targeted individual nor the company has ever ordered or received.
Typically, these fraudulent invoices arrive via email. Sometimes, scammers take their act a step further by posing as sellers and making persuasive phone calls, insisting that an agreement has been reached.
In some cases, scammers gain unauthorised access to a company's email system and tamper with outgoing payment details, redirecting the funds to their own accounts.
To protect yourself from falling victim to fake invoices:
- Examine the invoice for legitimacy, confirming whether you or your company actually made the purchase in question.
- Even if the sender's email address seems familiar, verify its authenticity.
- Establish clear invoicing procedures within your company, complete with payment guidelines, and ensure that your employees are knowledgeable about following them.
- For recurring invoices, cross-verify the recipient's account number with previous invoices to ensure consistency.
- Conduct an online search for information about the invoice sender. Frequently, you can uncover details about companies engaged in sending deceptive invoices with a quick online investigation.
Report Suspicious Activity: In case of suspicion, promptly report it to relevant authorities and contact our customer support team. Swift action enhances the prospects of fund recovery.