Fake invoice or real supplier? A five-minute check before you pay

By Jason Sibley

What this is for, and who it's for

This guide is for UK small business owners and whoever pays the bills, whether that's a bookkeeper or you at the kitchen table on a Sunday night.

It gives you a five-minute check before you pay an invoice that looks new or different, and explains where AI can help and where it can't. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice. For questions about your own bank account or tax, speak to your bank, a solicitor or your accountant. For the wider picture, see our guide on AI for bookkeeping and invoices.

How the scam works

Invoice fraud, also called mandate fraud, is simple. The National Crime Agency (NCA) describes it as criminals deceiving businesses into paying fake invoices or diverting genu