Europa Press, Getty Images de PRUDENCIOALVAREZ, en.edatv.news **Translation:** CaixaBank Alert for Account Holders: What You Must Not Do in February
CaixaBank has assured that this invoice fraud doesn't discriminate and can affect any type of company.
CaixaBank warns its clients about a rising scam that puts numerous companies at risk: invoice fraud. This type of scam, based on social engineering, primarily targets businesses that deal with multiple suppliers.
Through this, criminals engage in identity theft to alter crucial payment data.
CaixaBank warns about invoice fraud
Invoice fraud involves cybercriminals posing as legitimate suppliers. They generally use emails to request a change in the bank account number associated with a pending invoice.
Once they obtain this information, the impostor contacts the victim company pretending to be the supplier and requests a new payment procedure, providing a fraudulent bank account under their control. If a company falls into this trap, its future payments will be sent directly to the scammer's account. This fraud is often detected when the genuine supplier demands payment for the invoices.
How to protect your company from invoice fraud
When you receive a request to modify data from a supplier, it is essential to contact them through their usual phone number. Never trust the contact details provided in the signature of received emails.
Compare each new invoice with previous ones that you know are authentic. Pay attention to the bank account details, the wording of the document, and the company's logo. It is the small inconsistencies that can indicate a scam.
Before giving credibility to any ownership certificate, verify its legitimacy by contacting directly the person or entity that issued it. Additionally, consider restricting or controlling the information available about your business relationships on your website and social media. While sharing these relationships can benefit your business, it also makes it easier for cybercriminals to plan their scams.
What to do if you are a victim of this fraud
If you have made payments to a fraudulent account, the most crucial action is to act quickly. You must immediately inform your bank, in this case, CaixaBank. After this, file an official report to initiate an investigation and increase the chances of recovering the funds.
Notify your suppliers about the scam so they can be alert and take additional preventive measures. It is important not to delete all emails, phone records, or documentation provided by the scammers. These elements are essential for police investigations.
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