5 min read · Intermediate · Related: Managed IT Services

Updated October 2026 · Tampa Bay–tested steps

Invoice Scams Targeting Small Business (Business Email Compromise)

Vendor bank details 'updated,' CEO wire requests — verification procedures that stop five-figure losses.

  1. 1. Institute callback verification for payment changes

    Any new bank details get verified by calling a KNOWN number — never reply-to-email or numbers in the message. Write the procedure down, train bookkeepers, enforce zero exceptions. This one rule stops most BEC losses.

  2. 2. Inspect domains and display names forensically

    Check the actual sender domain (vend0r.com vs vendor.com), reply-to mismatches, and lookalike Unicode. Flag external mail clearly (365 external tags help) so spoofed 'CEO' mail stands out.

  3. 3. Slow down wires with dual approval

    Require two-person approval above a threshold ($1,000–$5,000 by size). Urgency is the weapon — 'wire in the next hour or else' should trigger process, not panic.

Invoice Scams Targeting Small Business (Business Email Compromise) — When to Call a Pro

  • Money already moved — bank recall immediately, then forensics and police report.
  • Mailbox compromise suspected — containment, password resets, mail-flow audit.
  • You need BEC-resistant processes: verification workflows plus technical controls.
Get help with this(813) 702-3155

Guide FAQ

Domestic wires within 24–72 hours sometimes; international and crypto usually not. Speed of reporting is everything — call the bank before calling us.
One 2-minute call per new payee versus a $47,000 average BEC loss (FBI IC3). It's the cheapest insurance in your office.
Was this guide helpful?

Keep going on Managed IT Services

Customer Wi-Fi for Your Business? Do It Without Risking the Office5 min readPower's Out6 min read5G Failover Internet for Small Business4 min read

Related service: Managed IT Services →