Invoice Scams: is your business staying vigilant?

As a business, invoices are a necessary fact, and sometimes, the urge to get something paid can mean that due diligence sometimes takes a back seat. That's where a scammer can get hold of your money, meaning that it did not get to the intended recipient.

It's an invoice scam, and it's when fraudsters send a fake invoice that looks like it's from someone you know or trust. It may come from a fake email or it may be from a genuine one hwich has been hacked. The bank details may be different, they may say that they have moved accounts recently, and you'll trust it, pay it, and not know that you've been conned until you get a follow-up from the genuine business asking where their money is.

In early 2026, the National Crime Agency and NatWest launched a joint campaign to highlight the risks of invoice scams. In September 2025 alone, there were 83 cases where victims lost a total of £3,908,086 - that's around £47,000 per case.

Their advice is as follows:

- CHECK for any changes to invoice details, bank details or if you are being pressed for an urgent payment.

- VERIFY by calling the genuine supplier on a previously used phone number before you transfer money, as emails can be intercepted or diverted.

- NEVER transfer money until you are satisfied the details are correct.

Take Five has advice and a video at this link, which also urges you to not feel pressured or rushed into making a payment, and the Financial Ombudsman also has a case study on someone who was caught out if you feel your bank is unhelpful when you report to them what has happened.