What are some common signs of a fake invoice call?

Fake invoice calls are a common scam that target businesses and individuals who deal with invoices regularly. They aim to trick you into paying for goods or services that you never ordered, or to steal your personal or financial information. In this article, we will discuss some common signs of a fake invoice call and how to protect yourself from falling victim to this fraud.

1 Caller ID spoofing

One of the first signs of a fake invoice call is that the caller ID may appear to be from a legitimate company or organization that you have dealt with before. However, this can be easily faked by scammers using a technique called caller ID spoofing, which allows them to display any number or name they want. Therefore, you should never trust the caller ID alone and always verify the identity of the caller by asking for their name, position, and contact details.

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Meruka Patel

Accounts Payable and Corporate Accounting at Shepherd Village Inc.
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True, I would take their name, position, and contact too. But, I would also ask them to send a copy of the invoice and compare with the invoices I have. The format of the invoice, invoice date and compare the digits of the invoice number. Then I would call the number that I have on file for the company and confirm with them and identify the details with them too. As a customer, you want to make sure that you and your vendor does not fall under spam callers like spoofing.

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Zabiullah sail

Seeking for Job Opportunity in Finance and Accounting
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In my experience I have faced some calls that the phone or the company mentions (it maybe scam) but when I picked it was legitimate phone.

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2 Pressure and urgency

Another sign of a fake invoice call is that the caller may try to pressure you into making a payment or providing information by creating a sense of urgency or threat. They may claim that you have an overdue invoice, that you will face legal action or penalties, or that your account will be suspended or canceled if you do not comply. They may also refuse to give you time to check the invoice details or contact the original supplier. These are all tactics to make you act impulsively and without due diligence.

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Zabiullah sail

Seeking for Job Opportunity in Finance and Accounting
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I agree, I was receiving such messages but I have ignored them and didn’t reply because they are sending a link when someone click on it they will be easily hacked.

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3 Inconsistent or vague details

A third sign of a fake invoice call is that the invoice details may not match your records or expectations. For example, the invoice number, date, amount, or description may be different from what you have received or agreed to. The caller may also be vague or evasive about the details of the invoice, such as the name of the supplier, the service or product provided, or the payment method. They may also ask you to pay to a different account or address than usual.

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Zabiullah sail

Seeking for Job Opportunity in Finance and Accounting
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I haven’t experienced this, if I get so, I will still ignore them because whatever belongs to me is not matching with the details they provided.

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4 Request for personal or financial information

A fourth sign of a fake invoice call is that the caller may ask you to provide or confirm your personal or financial information, such as your bank account number, credit card number, password, PIN, or security code. This is a red flag that they are trying to steal your identity or money. You should never give out such information over the phone, especially to unsolicited callers. Legitimate companies or organizations will not ask you for such information over the phone.

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5 How to protect yourself

The best way to protect yourself from fake invoice calls is to hang up and ignore them. Do not engage with the caller or follow their instructions. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of the call, contact the company or organization directly using a verified phone number or email address. Do not use the contact details provided by the caller. You can also report the call to your local authorities or consumer protection agencies. By being alert and vigilant, you can avoid falling prey to this scam.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ben Jackson

Controller at Fainsbert Mase & Brown, LLP
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They ask to speak to the owner instead of the accounts payable contact. A true collector will know the fastest path is thru AP and should know who that is.

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What are some common signs of a fake invoice call?

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1 Caller ID spoofing

2 Pressure and urgency

3 Inconsistent or vague details

4 Request for personal or financial information

5 How to protect yourself

6 Here’s what else to consider

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