Two local businesses hit by 'invoice redirect fraud'

Gardaí issue warning to traders in town

By Mullingar Chamber

Officers at Mullingar Garda Station have recently been made aware of an attempted 'invoice redirect fraud' involving two local businesses.

An 'invoice redirect fraud' involves a company receiving a fraudulent email or letter from a supplier advising that they have changed bank accounts and requested that all future payments be made to a new specified bank account.

The fraud will usually be discovered some time afterwards when the legitimate company sends the invoice and queries 'non-payment'.

An Garda Síochána request that local businesses be made aware of crimes of this nature and be on the lookout for such suspicious emails.

They recommend that businesses should adopt a two-way authentication system on receipt of such emails.

The way to do that is, once an email is received from a business stating that they have changed bank accounts, the recipients should make direct contact by telephone or in person to confirm the change of bank account.

The email should not be taken on face value.