Running a small business takes a lot of work. It includes keeping track of expenses, invoices, and payments. Unfortunately, scammers know all too well about the ins and outs of small businesses. Scammers take advantage of small business owners with fake invoices to trick them into sending money for products or services they never ordered.
Fake invoice scams often begin with an unexpected invoice arriving by mail or email. The invoice often looks professional and may appear to come from a familiar company. However, it might reference services a small business doesn’t actually use. Some scammers even include “past due” notices to create a sense of urgency and pressure businesses into quickly paying up.
In some cases, fake invoices arrive by email as part of a phishing scam. Clicking links or opening attachments could expose small businesses to malware or give scammers access to sensitive financial information.
Here are a few ways small business owners can protect themselves from fake invoice scams:
- Carefully review all invoices before making payments. Make sure purchases and vendor relationships are verified through established company procedures.
- Be cautious of unfamiliar companies or unexpected charges. If something seems suspicious, research the company online using terms like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”
- Train employees to recognize phishing emails and suspicious payment requests.
- Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
Staying vigilant and carefully verifying invoices can help protect small businesses from falling victim to these scams. Support your local small businesses by sharing this article with a small business owner!