Received a Fake Invoice Email From a Company You Don't Recognize?
An email invoice arrived for a service or product you never purchased. It may be for software, a subscription, or a business service. The invoice includes a phone number to call to dispute the charge. Calling that number connects you to scammers who will try to access your computer or bank account.
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How This Scam Works
High Risk — Callback Invoice Scam
If you receive an invoice for a product or service you didn't purchase, do not call the number on the invoice. The number connects to scammers, not a real company.
You receive an email with a professional-looking invoice from a company you don't recognize. The invoice is for a software subscription, business service, or product you never ordered. It includes an amount (often $200 to $500) and a phone number to call if you want to dispute or cancel the charge.
When you call the number, the person who answers sounds professional and helpful. They ask for remote access to your computer to "process the cancellation" or "issue a refund." Once they have access, they manipulate your screen to make it appear they sent too much money and ask you to return the difference via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. They may also install malware, steal files, or access your banking information.
The FBI's IC3 reported that tech support and callback scams resulted in over $924 million in losses in 2023. The FTC notes that fake invoice scams are increasingly common because they bypass traditional phishing — instead of clicking a malicious link, the victim initiates the contact by calling.
Red Flags
- Invoice from a company you don't recognize for a product you didn't buy
- Provides a phone number to 'cancel' instead of an online cancellation option
- Invoice amount is designed to be alarming but not implausible ($200-$500)
- Sender address does not match the company name on the invoice
- Claims the charge will process automatically if you don't act
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not call the phone number on the invoice
- Check your bank and credit card statements — the charge is not real
- Do not give anyone remote access to your computer
- If you already called and gave access, disconnect from the internet immediately
- Report the scam email to the FTC
How to Verify Legitimately
Check your bank and credit card statements for any pending or recent charges matching the invoice amount. If there is no charge, the invoice is fake. If you want to verify the company exists, search for them independently online — do not use the phone number or website listed on the invoice.