SCAM AWARENESSFake invoices
A fake invoice scam is a bill for something you never ordered or never received. Scammers send these to businesses, churches, nonprofits, and individuals, hoping someone pays without checking. The invoice may look like it comes from a real supplier, a directory listing, a web service, or a software company you have heard of.
How this scam works
Scammers send invoices by email, mail, or fax for common things like office supplies, website domain renewals, online directory listings, or software subscriptions. The amounts are often small enough that a busy bookkeeper might pay without asking questions. Some invoices are designed to look like a renewal notice for a service you really use.
Others use pressure. The bill may say it is past due, threaten late fees or collections, or warn that your service will be shut off. Some include a phone number to call with questions, where a scammer will insist the charge is real. A newer version arrives as an email claiming you were charged for a subscription, then asks you to call to cancel and share payment or account details.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGEFINAL NOTICE: Your annual business directory listing is past due. Amount owed: $489.00. Pay within 5 days to avoid collection action and removal of your listing. Pay online at [link] or call our billing department at [number].
Warning signs
- You have no record of ordering the product or service.
- The invoice uses words like final notice or past due on a first contact.
- Company name is close to, but not exactly, one you know.
- Payment instructions differ from how you normally pay that supplier.
- Fine print says the document is a solicitation, not a bill.
- It threatens collections, shutoff, or legal action if you do not pay quickly.
How to protect yourself
- Match each invoice to a purchase order, receipt, or signed agreement before paying.
- Keep a list of approved vendors and who is allowed to order from them.
- Look up a vendor's contact details yourself instead of using the invoice.
- Have one person approve invoices and a different person send payment.
- Read fine print on renewal notices for words like solicitation or offer.
If you already responded
- Contact your bank or card company right away and ask about disputing or stopping the payment.
- Do not pay any further invoices or call numbers from that sender.
- If you shared card or account numbers, ask your bank about replacing the card or closing the account.
- Report the invoice to the FTC and keep copies of the bill and payment records.
- Warn your accounting staff and add the sender to a watch list.
Get step-by-step recovery help →
Where to report it
Common questions
Do I have to pay for something I never ordered?
Do not pay an invoice for goods or services you did not order until you confirm it. Check your records and contact the supposed seller using contact details you find on your own. Fake invoices count on people paying out of worry. If you cannot find any order, treat the bill as suspicious and report it.
How can I tell a real renewal notice from a fake one?
Log in to your account directly or call the company at a number you already know, not one on the notice. Compare the company name, account number, and price with past bills. Fake renewal notices often come from a similar-sounding company and may say in small print that they are an offer, not a bill.
What should I do if a fake invoice says it will go to collections?
Do not let the threat rush you. Real businesses can show you the original order, contract, or delivery record. Ask for proof in writing and check it against your own files. If the company cannot show you a real order, do not pay, and report the invoice to the FTC.