AI Scams & Fraud
Fake invoices
The quiet scam that looks exactly like normal paperwork.
4 min readBeginnerIdentity
What You Need to Know
Fraudulent invoices imitate a real vendor, often after a mailbox has been compromised, and change only the account number. They succeed because they look routine.
Why It Matters
Invoice fraud drains small businesses and nonprofits that lack a formal accounts payable process, and funds are rarely recoverable after transfer.
Warning Signs checklist
- New banking details on a familiar invoice
- Slight change in logo, formatting, or invoice numbering
- Pressure to pay ahead of the usual schedule
- A vendor contact writing from a new address
How to Protect Yourself steps
- 1Confirm banking changes by phone using a known number
- 2Keep a vendor record with verified payment details
- 3Separate the person who approves from the person who pays
- 4Review invoices against purchase orders before payment
Quick Checklist
- Confirm banking changes by phone using a known number
- Keep a vendor record with verified payment details
- Separate the person who approves from the person who pays
- Review invoices against purchase orders before payment
Helpful Resources
- The Curiosity EditLong-form essays on cyber, AI, and everyday technology.
- Career GalaxyDiscover the careers built around this exact problem.
- Government resourcesOfficial reporting and recovery links, being verified before we publish them.
- Trusted nonprofitsCommunity partners offering free education and support, list in progress.
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