Invoice scams

Fraudsters can pretend to be a business you’ve used and owe money to. They can target any invoice, but often want larger amounts.

Learn how to pay an invoice safely to avoid fraudsters.

 

How an invoice scam works

After a company does some work for you, like fitting a new kitchen, they normally email you an invoice.

But if a fraudster hacks their email account, or closely copies their email address, they can target you with a:

  • fake invoice
  • change to payment details.

Fraudsters can also try this scam after you’ve paid a genuine company.

How to spot and avoid invoice scams

How to spot a scam email

Fraudsters can send a scam email at any time. They usually add information to convince you it’s real, such as:

  • Contact details and a company logo.
  • A description of the service they’re giving.
  • Your details.

When an email includes an invoice, call the sender on a number you trust to make sure it’s genuine.

If you reply or pay without checking, your money may end up in a fraudster’s account.

Always check the sender’s email address to make sure it’s genuine. Fraudsters can change things like a letter or number, which is hard to notice.

Use a free email address checker online. Enter an address to find out if it’s a fraudster pretending to be someone else.

How to avoid this scam

Before you pay an account that you’ve never paid before, or an invoice that arrives by email, call the person or company you’re paying.

Use a number you trust. Talk with them to confirm payment details.

If you call a phone number from an invoice or email, you might end up talking to a fraudster.

How to pay an invoice safely

There are two steps to paying a bank account that you’ve never paid before:

  1. Call the person or business
    Use a phone number that you’ve called before and can trust. Get one from their website or business card.
    Never use a number from an email or invoice, as fraudsters can add their own.
  2. Confirm payment details
    Ask them to confirm the account name, account number and sort code.
    If a name doesn’t match an account, our payment system will warn you.
    For a big payment, send a small amount of money to begin with, then check it’s been received before sending the rest.
    Once you pay an account, it’s very hard for you to get your money back, especially if it’s a scam.

How to pay an invoice safely

There are two steps to paying a bank account that you’ve never paid before:

  1. Call the person or business
    Use a phone number that you’ve called before and can trust. Get one from their website or business card.
    Never use a number from an email or invoice, as fraudsters can add their own.
  2. Confirm payment details
    Ask them to confirm the account name, account number and sort code.
    If a name doesn’t match an account, our payment system will warn you.
    For a big payment, send a small amount of money to begin with, then check it’s been received before sending the rest.
    Once you pay an account, it’s very hard for you to get your money back, especially if it’s a scam.

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

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

Protect yourself from fraud

Stay scam safe

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

Protect yourself from fraud