Is a fake invoice sent to a senior parent by mail a scam?
Yes. Fraudulent invoices sent by post are common scams targeting older adults, using official-looking formats to demand payment for services never ordered.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Older adults receive fraudulent invoices by mail claiming to be from delivery companies, directory services, subscription traps, or charitable organisations they supposedly committed to. The invoice looks official — letterhead, reference numbers, payment slip — and the amount is deliberately modest to seem credible. Some demand renewal fees for services like business directory listings or magazine subscriptions the recipient has no memory of signing up for. Others are outright fabrications. If a family member receives an unexpected bill, search the company name, look for consumer complaints, and call the company's independently verified number before any payment is made.
Common red flags
- Invoice for a service the recipient has no memory of ordering
- Company name is difficult to search or has many complaints
- Amount is deliberately low to seem routine
- Payment slip included makes it easy to send a cheque without questioning
- Warning that failure to pay will result in debt recovery action
What to do now
- Do not pay until you have verified the invoice independently
- Search the company name and check consumer review sites
- Call the company using a number you find independently — not one on the invoice
- Report fraudulent invoices to your national trading standards authority
Frequently asked questions
What if the invoice references a specific order number?
Reference numbers can be invented. Always verify the underlying service independently before paying any unexpected invoice.