Fake Invoice & Subscription Renewal Scam

Overview

Scammers send consumers and businesses fake invoices or "subscription renewal" emails for purchases or memberships that were never made, pushing victims to call a bogus support number or enter payment details to "resolve" the charge.

How It Works

Victims receive an email or invoice that looks like it's from a familiar company stating a subscription needs to be renewed, often with an urgent warning about "late fees" if they don't act, leading the recipient to click a link and enter payment information. Another version involves a receipt for a large purchase the recipient doesn't remember making, prompting them to call a company's help number, where a scammer asks for personal and payment information to "resolve the issue." A business variant involves sending a small-dollar invoice for something generic like "office supplies" that appears to come from a typical vendor, hoping an accounting department pays it without double-checking.

Red Flags

• Unexpected invoice or renewal notice for a purchase or subscription you don't remember making
• Urgent language about late fees or needing to act to avoid being charged
• Customer service phone number or payment link embedded directly in the email rather than sourced independently
• Request to pay without the ability to confirm the invoice is legitimate

Real Examples

• A consumer receives an email stating a subscription needs to be renewed to avoid 'late fees,' appearing to come from a familiar company, leading the recipient to click a link and enter payment information.
• BBB's Scam Tracker Risk Report found invoice scams were the second riskiest scam reported by businesses in 2025, costing businesses a median amount of $532, with PayPal the most frequently impersonated organization and 15.2% of reports involving fake invoice scams.

Where It Spreads

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify any renewal or invoice by going directly to the company's official website to find its phone number, rather than using links or numbers in the email
• Keep careful track of your purchase history and active subscriptions through bank statements or another budgeting method so you can spot a fake notice
• Don't be easily intimidated by language claiming legal action will be taken for nonpayment; take time to confirm an invoice before sending money
• Businesses should create a procedure for inspecting incoming invoices and verifying products or services were actually ordered and delivered before paying

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