Is a fake invoice using a well-known supplier's name a scam?
Yes. Invoice fraud involves sending convincing fake invoices using legitimate company names and branding, counting on busy accounts teams to pay without checking.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Invoice fraud exploits the trust that businesses place in established supplier relationships. A fraudulent invoice arrives with a recognised company's name and logo — sometimes even the correct account number or reference — but with a fraudulent bank account substituted. In other variants, scammers send invoices for services never ordered, hoping that large organisations with many suppliers will pay without rigorous checking. Always match invoice details against your internal purchase orders, verify any new or changed payment details by phone with the known supplier contact, and check that the bank account on the invoice matches the one already in your payment system before releasing any payment.
Common red flags
- Invoice bank details differ from what is on file for this supplier
- Invoice is for services or goods with no matching purchase order
- Invoice numbering sequence does not match your history with this supplier
- Contact details on the invoice differ slightly from the supplier's official records
What to do now
- Match every invoice to an approved purchase order before paying
- Call the supplier's known number to verify any invoice with changed bank details
- If a fraudulent payment was made, contact your bank's fraud line immediately
- Report to your national fraud authority and review your payment authorisation controls
Frequently asked questions
Should I compare every invoice against a purchase order?
Yes — a three-way match (purchase order, goods receipt, and invoice) is standard accounts-payable practice and the most effective defence against invoice fraud.