Guide · Updated 2026-10-15 · By the PayOrScam team

Common invoice scam types (and how each one works)

Changed bank details (business email compromise)

A genuine-looking invoice or email from a real supplier, but with the fraudster's bank account. Often follows an email account takeover. The FBI's IC3 reported roughly $3.05 billion in BEC losses in 2025.

Fake supplier invoices

Invoices for goods or services never ordered, often small enough to be paid without questions.

Brand impersonation

Invoices or "renewal" notices pretending to be from software, security or delivery brands, using copied logos and lookalike domains.

Directory, listing and domain-renewal invoices

Official-looking notices for business directories, trademark registrations or domain renewals that are actually unsolicited offers or fake.

Overpayment and refund scams

You're "accidentally" overpaid and asked to refund the difference to another account.

Investment and "activation fee" invoices

Invoices from trading or crypto platforms demanding fees to release profits. Check regulator warning lists before paying anything.

The FTC reported $15.9 billion in consumer-reported fraud losses for 2025, with imposter scams the most reported category.

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Sources & official tools

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.