Cybercriminals don’t always need to hack into your systems—they just need to trick you into clicking “Send.” That’s the idea behind Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams, and one of the most common forms is the fake invoice or urgent payment scam. These emails can look surprisingly real, often mimicking a vendor you trust or even a colleague.
If you’ve ever seen an email asking you to “pay immediately” or “process a wire transfer today,” this blog is for you.
What Is BEC?
BEC stands for Business Email Compromise. It’s a type of scam where cybercriminals use email to trick businesses into sending money or sensitive information. Instead of hacking into systems with viruses or malware, they rely on deception and impersonation.
These scammers often pretend to be someone you trust—like a vendor, your boss, or a coworker. The email might look convincing, using names you recognize and even mimicking email styles you’ve seen before.
The goal? Get you to act fast. Whether it’s paying a fake invoice, changing payment details, or sharing confidential data, BEC scams rely on making you believe the request is real and urgent.
What Are BEC Invoice and Urgent Payment Scams?
BEC scams are all about impersonation and pressure. In invoice or urgent payment scams, attackers pretend to be someone you know—like a vendor, a company executive, or even a long-time client. They ask for a payment to be sent right away. The urgency is key: they want you to act fast and skip the usual checks.
These emails often use fake domains that look close to the real thing or even hijack a legitimate email account. Once they’ve convinced someone to send money, it’s usually gone for good.
How the Scam Usually Plays Out
Here’s how these scams typically unfold:
- Reconnaissance – The scammer does some digging, maybe through LinkedIn or company websites, to learn who handles payments.
- Spoofing or Hacking – They either fake an email address or gain access to a real one.
- The Ask – A message comes in that looks legit, asking for a wire transfer or payment for an invoice—urgently.
- The Hook – You’re told to skip the normal steps. “The CEO approved this,” or “Vendor needs this today.”
- The Payout – If no one catches the scam, the money is sent to the fraudster’s account, often overseas and impossible to recover.
Real-Life Example
A Costly Mistake for a Construction Firm
A small but growing construction company received what looked like a normal invoice from one of their regular subcontractors. The email used the correct company logo, had a familiar tone, and even referenced recent work that had been done on a project. Nothing about it seemed out of place—except one thing: the bank account details were different.
The bookkeeper, juggling multiple deadlines and trying to keep things moving, didn’t think twice. The invoice looked just like the ones they’d paid before, and the email address appeared legit. She processed the payment for $28,000, assuming it was business as usual.
The bookkeeper, juggling multiple deadlines and trying to keep things moving, didn’t think twice. The invoice looked just like the ones they’d paid before, and the email address appeared legit. She processed the payment for $28,000, assuming it was business as usual.
A few days later, the real subcontractor called—wondering why they hadn’t been paid. That’s when the truth came out: the email had been spoofed, the invoice was fake, and the money had been wired to a criminal’s account overseas. There was nothing the bank could do to recover it.
This is exactly what makes BEC scams so dangerous. They don’t rely on bad grammar or obvious red flags anymore—they rely on familiarity and timing. In this case, the company had no fraud prevention protocols in place for verifying payment details, and that single oversight proved costly.
Another Real-Life Example: When a Law Firm Got Burned
A mid-sized law firm received what looked like a routine email from a long-standing client asking for an urgent wire transfer related to a settlement. The email came from the client’s actual email address—because their account had been compromised. The message referenced an actual case number and included all the right names, making it seem completely legitimate.
The office manager, wanting to keep things moving, approved the payment without picking up the phone to confirm. By the time anyone realized it wasn’t real, $75,000 was gone, and there was no way to recover it.
This was a classic BEC attack: it didn’t require any sophisticated hacking, just access to an email account and a convincing story.
Spot the Red Flags
So how do you know what’s real and what’s a scam? Watch for these signs:
- The sender’s email is slightly off (e.g., “.co” instead of “.com”).
- The message feels unusually urgent or demands secrecy.
- The bank account details have changed without a clear explanation.
- You’re asked to skip usual payment approval steps.
- The tone or phrasing doesn’t match the person supposedly sending the email.
If something feels off, it probably is.
How to Protect Your Business
You don’t need to be an IT expert to take simple, smart steps that keep your business safe.
- Slow Down – Don’t let urgency push you into skipping verification.
- Verify Requests – Call or message the sender through a known contact method (not by replying to the email).
- Set Payment Procedures – Always require multiple approvals for high-dollar payments or account changes.
- Train Your Team – Make sure everyone knows how these scams work and what to watch for.
- Use Security Tools – Implement email security filters and consider multifactor authentication (MFA) to protect accounts.
Final Thoughts
Scammers are getting better at looking legitimate, but that doesn’t mean they’re unstoppable. The best defense is a combination of awareness, strong internal procedures, and a healthy dose of skepticism.
Talk to your team. Review your payment processes. And if you’re not sure your cybersecurity tools are keeping up, it might be time to bring in some extra help.
Need help evaluating your defenses or training your employees to recognize scams like these? Let’s talk.
How Professional Computer Concepts Can Help
At Professional Computer Concepts, we don’t just provide IT support. We help businesses take control of their technology, security, and growth. As a trusted Managed IT and Cybersecurity provider serving the Bay Area for over 20 years, we specialize in proactive IT management, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs).
We take a comprehensive approach to protecting businesses, offering:
- Advanced Cybersecurity Solutions – Protecting your business from cyber threats before they happen
- 24/7 IT Support & Monitoring – Keeping your technology running smoothly, day and night
- Cloud Computing & Remote Work Solutions – Helping businesses stay connected and productive
- Strategic IT Consulting (vCIO Services) – Ensuring your technology supports your long-term business goals
If you’re a business owner looking to strengthen your cybersecurity, reduce IT headaches, and improve efficiency, we’re here to help.
Let’s Talk! Contact us today to learn how Professional Computer Concepts can help your business stay secure, productive, and ready for the future.