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Fraud Alert: Fake payment confirmations

What are Fake payment confirmations

Fraudsters are targeting businesses using fraudulent payment documents and cheque deposits to create the impression that payment has been made. These scams can result in businesses releasing goods or delivering services without receiving the funds due to them.

How the Scam works

Fake deposit slips and payment confirmations

A fraudster purchases goods or requests services and presents what appears to be legitimate proof of payment.

This may include:

  • A fraudulent deposit slip;
  • A manipulated payment confirmation;
  • A fake bank receipt;
  • A screenshot or payment notification; or
  • An SMS claiming that payment has been made.

These documents may display official-looking bank logos, payment details, reference numbers or cashier numbers and stamps to make them appear authentic.

The fraudster may then pressure the business to release the goods or provide the service immediately, often before the recipient has independently verified the payment. If the business relies only on the document or notification provided, it may release goods without receiving the funds.

Cheque deposit scams

A fraudster deposits a cheque into the seller’s account.

The beneficiary may receive an SMS or account notification confirming that a cheque deposit has been made.

The fraudster then uses this notification to pressure the seller into releasing the goods.

A cheque deposit notification confirms only that a cheque has been deposited. It does not mean that the cheque has cleared or that the money is available for use.

The cheque may subsequently be dishonoured, returned unpaid or cancelled, leaving the business without the goods and without the payment.

Prevention tips

Protect your business by following these precautions:

  • Verify funds directly in your account.Confirm that payment has been received and is available before releasing goods or providing services, especially where transacting with new parties. Where necessary, verify the payment directly with your business partner / client using contact details you have on record.
  • Do not rely on payment documents alone. A deposit slip, bank receipt, screenshot, payment confirmation or SMS notification is not proof that cleared funds have been received.
  • Treat cheque deposits with caution. Do not release goods merely because you have received a cheque deposit notification. Wait until the cheque has cleared and the funds are available.
  • Use your own banking channels. Confirm payment through your organisation’s official banking platform or established account-verification process, rather than relying on information supplied by the purchaser.
  • Do not allow urgency to override controls. Fraudsters may pressure employees to release goods quickly. Apply the same payment-verification process to every transaction.
  • Strengthen release controls. Ensure that employees responsible for dispatching goods or delivering services receive independent confirmation that cleared funds are available.
  • Escalate suspicious transactions. If payment information appears inconsistent or the customer applies unusual pressure, pause the transaction and escalate it through your organisation’s fraud-risk procedures.

Important reminder

Official-looking documentation, reference numbers and payment notifications do not guarantee that payment has been received. Always confirm that the funds have been credited and are available in your account before releasing goods or providing services.

Where to report

Report Fraud or Suspicious Activity through the following channels:

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