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Spotting scams

Invoice scams

What is an invoice scam?

Invoice (also known as mandate scams) is when a fraudster will pretend to be a solicitor, tradesperson or someone from a trusted organisation and intercept emails or hack into an organisation's email and pretend to be them. They'll inform you that you need to pay them into a new or amended bank account, which they now have ownership over.

Tips on how to spot an invoice scam

  • You receive new bank details from an existing service provider (such as a builder, solicitor or other tradesperson) that are different to the account details you hold.
  • You receive duplicate or more frequent invoices for a product or service than the genuine service provider usually sends.

Steps to protect yourself

  1. 01

    If you're unsure, call the company or the person providing the service on a trusted number so that they can confirm the account details that you’ve received are correct.

  2. 02

    When making your first payment, transfer a small amount first and then check with the company that the payment has been received.

  3. 03

    Send confirmation of payment to the company or person providing the service once their invoice has been paid.

  4. 04

    If there's a change in bank details, always query this as companies rarely change their bank details.       

  5. 05

    Be careful of the information you choose to share on social media, as criminals will use this (such as a home renovation) to target you.

How to report a suspicious email

If you have received a fraudulent or suspicious email, and not responded to it, please forward the email to phishing@iombank.com.

 

However, if you have responded to the email, and/or you suspect that any of your accounts with us have been accessed online by someone other than yourself, please contact us immediately on:

0800 161 5154
Call +44 (0) 1268 50074 from abroad

Calls may be recorded.

Other content you might find helpful...

Identity theft

Identity theft is when a fraudster steals your personal information to impersonate you, open accounts, obtain credit or set up businesses.

Pension scams

A fraudster encouraging someone with access to their pension to move funds, where the money may be lost or unreasonably charged.

Impersonation fraud

Criminals pretend to be a trusted organisation, may say your account is at risk and ask you to move your money to a ‘safe account’.