Stop payment fraud before it happens with Corcentric’s 12-step StopFraud™ payment protection service

Common types of payment fraud that target companies include:

• Phishing attacks: the art of digital deception Phishing attacks are a masterclass in manipulation, using deceptive emails or messages to lure unsuspecting employees into sharing sensitive financial information. These messages often masquerade as legitimate communications from trusted sources—vendors, partners, or even internal departments. A single click on a malicious link or attachment can expose company bank accounts, credit card numbers, or login credentials. Once fraudsters gain access, they exploit these details for fraudulent transactions or further attacks. Phishing remains a leading threat because it preys on human error, proving that even the most advanced cybersecurity measures are only as strong as an employee’s vigilance.
• Business Email Compromise (BEC): when fraud takes a personal approach With BEC attacks fraudsters slip into the digital identity of a company executive or trusted supplier. They send out emails that appear genuine, urgently requesting payments or wire transfers. The deception works because it feels personal, often exploiting real relationships within a company. A CFO might receive what seems like an authentic email from the CEO authorizing a critical payment. By the time the fraud is detected, the money has often vanished into untraceable accounts. BEC attacks are particularly insidious because they bypass standard phishing red flags, making them difficult to spot until it’s too late.
• Invoice fraud: when the bill isn’t real, but the losses are Invoice fraud is a numbers game—and fraudsters play it well. They submit fake invoices, hoping that busy accounts payable teams will process payments without a second thought. Sometimes, they create entirely fictitious companies; other times, they impersonate legitimate vendors with subtle tweaks to payment details. The result? Companies end up paying for goods or services that were never delivered. In some cases, fraudsters even intercept real invoices and alter payment information, diverting funds to their accounts. For businesses, detecting this type of fraud can be a logistical nightmare, with financial losses stacking up before anyone realizes they’ve been scammed.
• Credit card fraud: swiping more than just your money Credit card fraud is a fast and ruthless operation. Armed with stolen card details—whether hacked from an online database or skimmed from a point-of-sale system—fraudsters make unauthorized purchases, often within minutes of obtaining the information. For businesses, these fraudulent transactions can pile up quickly, especially in e-commerce environments where card-not-present transactions are common. Beyond the immediate financial impact, companies face the headache of chargebacks, which come with fees and lost revenue. Even more concerning is the potential damage to customer trust. When credit card fraud hits, the ripple effect can hurt a company’s reputation as much as its bottom line.
• ACH/wire transfer fraud: a high-stakes game with no reset button ACH and wire transfer frauds are the heavyweights of payment fraud, often resulting in large-scale financial losses. Fraudsters use tactics like social engineering or account takeovers to initiate unauthorized transfers. Once the money is sent, it’s almost impossible to retrieve—it vanishes into accounts designed to be untraceable. Because wire transfers and ACH payments are often irreversible, businesses are left holding the bag. The speed and finality of these transactions make them prime targets for fraud, leaving companies scrambling to tighten security and verify payment requests before it’s too late. This type of fraud is particularly damaging because it often flies under the radar until the money is gone.

Payment fraud doesn’t just hit the balance sheet—it ripples through every corner of a business. The immediate impact is often direct financial loss, but that’s just the beginning. A company’s reputation can take a significant blow, eroding trust among customers, investors, and partners. In industries where compliance is critical, fraud can trigger regulatory penalties, adding another layer of financial strain. Beyond the dollars and cents, payment fraud can derail daily operations, forcing teams to focus on damage control instead of growth. Legal battles may follow, with costly lawsuits or settlements dragging out the ordeal. Ultimately, payment fraud can leave long-lasting scars that go far beyond the initial financial hit.

Detecting fraud requires businesses to stay one step ahead by keeping a close eye on unusual patterns. Sudden shifts in transaction behavior—like unexpected spikes in spending or irregular payment amounts—can be early red flags. Requests for payments to unfamiliar accounts should immediately raise suspicions, especially when the account details have never been used before. Invoices with inconsistent or unusual details, such as discrepancies in amounts or vague descriptions of services, are another signal that something might be off. Fraudsters often slip up by using email addresses or contact information that doesn’t quite match the known suppliers – a telltale sign that the person on the other end may not be who they claim to be. By monitoring these indicators, businesses can catch fraud before it causes serious damage.

Payment fraud isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a ticking time bomb. To defuse it, consider these key strategies:

• Start by locking down your financial accounts with multi-factor authentication (MFA). It’s like adding an extra deadbolt to your digital vault. Next, double-check any large payment requests through a secondary communication channel—phone, video call, anything but email. Fraudsters love exploiting weak links, and human error is often the biggest.
• Your employees are your first line of defense, so train them like it. Equip them to spot phishing attacks and shady requests before they become financial disasters. And don’t forget encryption. Any sensitive financial data should be encrypted—no excuses.
• Set clear transaction limits and approval workflows to make sure large sums aren’t flying out without oversight. Finally, keep your system in fighting shape. Regular audits of your payment processes will help you catch vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.
• In the battle against fraud, proactivity beats recovery every time.

StopFraud™ verification program ensures:

The StopFraud™ verification program is your frontline defense against payment fraud, designed to ensure every transaction is secure and legitimate. It guarantees that payments go only to the correct, verified vendors, eliminating the risk of falling for imposters. With StopFraud™, each payment is carefully checked to ensure it matches the exact, approved amount, so no funds slip through unnoticed. It also eliminates the risks associated with handling and storing sensitive supplier bank information, keeping that data secure and out of reach for fraudsters. Continuous monitoring ensures that every payment is successfully delivered, providing peace of mind and reinforces your financial security.