Invoice fraud 'rises in summer'

The bogus invoices look official

Fraudsters are taking advantage of the summer months when top executives are away to send fake invoices, according to the Advertising Standards Authority.

The body is warning businesses to beware of unfamiliar bills, especially those from Swiss, Austrian and Czech companies.

"It's not usually a huge amount of money, and so people have paid up," said an ASA spokeswoman.

She said the problem was affecting firms across Europe.

Non-existent subscriptions

"The invoices are sent out. Then [the fraudsters] call companies to remind people to pay," said the spokeswoman.

The invoices are sent out in the summer months

"At the moment, we are seeing fake invoices coming from Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland but they have come from countries across Europe."

Many of the invoices purport to be for subscriptions to internet directories the companies have used.

Firms should beware of fake invoices sent in the summer in the hope they will be paid while management is away, the Advertising Standards Authority warns. The European Advertising Standards Alliance is warning companies across Europe of the scam.

"Over the last 10 years, we have noticed a marked increase in fraudulent direct mailings over the summer months," said the body's Robert Hilty.

"It is vital that [small and medium-sized businesses] across Europe are aware of these scams and how to deal with them."

The body has issued guidelines on how to deal with invoices:

Check all invoices carefully, especially those coming from overseas or from unknown suppliers.

If in doubt, call the company concerned.

Check the invoice's small print.

If you pay a fake invoice, contact the company and demand a refund. Report the mailing to the Advertising Standards Authority.