Invoice scams

Fraudsters target people that are paying an invoice, especially for large amounts.

We reveal their methods to help you avoid this scam.

 

How an invoice scam works

If you use a company for a service, such as building work, they usually email you an invoice.

But if a fraudster hacks the company’s email account, or creates a very close copy of their email address, they can email you:

  • a fake invoice, or
  • to say their payment details have changed.

Fraudsters can try to target you with this scam after you’ve paid a genuine company.

How to spot and avoid invoice scams

How to spot a scam email

Often, a scam email will arrive when you least expect it. You might think it’s genuine because the email address looks right and the message includes things like:

  • A company logo and contact details.
  • Details of the service they’re providing.
  • Your details.

If a message includes an invoice, always check to make sure it’s genuine.

Fraudsters want you to reply to an email or pay without checking.

Check an email address to make sure it hasn’t been changed in any way. Fraudsters will change the letters or numbers of a genuine company’s email address so it looks almost like the real thing.

Search for a free email address checker online. If an address doesn’t belong to the company, it’s a scam.

How to avoid this scam

If you get an email with an invoice attached or a message to say that payment details have changed, call the sender.

Take your time and use a number you trust.

Talk to them to make sure they sent the message and to confirm the payment details.

Fraudsters can add their own phone number to an invoice or email, so find a number you know is genuine.

How to pay an invoice safely

When you need to pay a bank account that you’ve never paid before, follow these two steps:

  1. Call the person or business
    Use a phone number you trust, not one from an email or invoice.
    Find a genuine phone number from a company’s website, a business card or one that you’ve used before.
    Fraudsters can add their own phone number to an invoice or email.
  2. Confirm payment details
    Make sure you have the right name, account number and sort code.
    When you make a payment, we’ll warn you if a name doesn’t match an account.
    If you pay a fraudster’s account, it’s very hard for you to get your money back.
    If you're paying a large amount of money, send a few pounds first. Then call to make sure they’ve got it before you pay the rest.

How to pay an invoice safely

When you need to pay a bank account that you’ve never paid before, follow these two steps:

  1. Call the person or business
    Use a phone number you trust, not one from an email or invoice.
    Find a genuine phone number from a company’s website, a business card or one that you’ve used before.
    Fraudsters can add their own phone number to an invoice or email.
  2. Confirm payment details
    Make sure you have the right name, account number and sort code.
    When you make a payment, we’ll warn you if a name doesn’t match an account.
    If you pay a fraudster’s account, it’s very hard for you to get your money back.
    If you're paying a large amount of money, send a few pounds first. Then call to make sure they’ve got it before you pay the rest.

Learn about other scams and how to protect yourself

Scam calls

Find out how fraudsters can use your details to win your trust.

Avoid scam calls

Scam emails and texts

Find out how fraudsters try to steal your details.

Avoid scam messages

Investment scams

Fraudsters pretend to be genuine companies and advisers.

Avoid investment scams

Pension scams

Did you know fraudsters can target your pension?

Protect your pension

Protect your passwords

Fraudsters will try to guess passwords to your online accounts.

How to create strong passwords

How we protect you

Find out the methods we use to protect you from fraud.

How we fight fraud

Learn about the latest scams

Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to try to steal your details and money. Discover which scams are common right now.

Go to latest scams

Have you been targeted by fraudsters?

Contact us right away if you think you've been scammed. We can then guide you on what to do next.

Contact us now

Stay scam safe

Learn how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud

Stay scam safe

Learn how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud