Free business safety checklist
Before paying an invoice
Check the purchase. Check the payment details.
For business owners, accounts payable and staff approving purchases.
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Five checks to use at work
- Match the purchaseConfirm goods or services were ordered and received, or match an approved agreement for advance payments.
- Check the invoiceReview supplier, invoice number, amount and due date. Check for duplicate invoices or payments.
- Compare bank detailsMatch the destination against your verified supplier record.
- Verify independentlyConfirm emailed invoice payment details through a trusted number. Do not use contact details in the invoice.
- Keep the approval processUrgency or a claimed instruction from the boss does not override approvals.
Paid a suspected fraudulent invoice?
- Contact your bank urgently about stopping or recovering the payment. Recovery is not guaranteed.
- Tell finance and IT.
- Retain the invoice and payment reference.
Sources and further reading
Primary guidance checked in October 2026. Your organisation’s procedures and IT team should guide the response to a real incident.