Hi, I’m Sarah, bakery manager at a small bakery. Our flour supplier sent this month’s invoice and the bank details are different from the ones we’ve paid before. The amount looks right and the invoice seems genuine. Can Pokkit help me sense check whether this is safe to pay?
Hi Sarah — yes, I can help you sense check it.
A change in bank details on an otherwise normal-looking invoice is a common fraud risk, so it’s good you paused.
Based on what you’ve said, I’d avoid approving payment yet. The safest next step is to verify the new bank details using a trusted contact method you already have, not the details shown on the invoice or in the email that sent it.
If you want, send me a photo of the invoice with any sensitive amounts or account numbers covered, and I’ll help you review the red flags.
Thanks. I’ve attached a photo of the invoice with most of the bank info covered. Can you tell me what stands out?
From a sense-check perspective, these are the main things I’d focus on:
- Bank details changed — that’s the biggest red flag, even if everything else looks normal.
- Invoice branding and layout — if it closely matches previous invoices, that can still happen in fraud cases because invoices are often copied.
- Amount and timing — fraudsters often keep the amount believable so it slips through.
- Contact details — if the invoice asks you to use a new phone number or email to confirm changes, be cautious.
My practical advice: treat this as unverified until your team confirms the new account details with the supplier using a phone number or contact record you already trust.
We do have the supplier’s usual phone number saved from previous orders. If I call them, what exactly should I ask?
That’s the right approach. When you call, keep it simple and direct:
- Confirm they sent the invoice and quote the invoice number.
- Ask whether their bank details have changed.
- Read back the sort code/account details carefully and ask them to confirm.
- Ask when and why the change was made.
- Ask them to resend confirmation through your normal trusted channel if needed.
If the person sounds unsure, asks you to use a different contact method, or pressures you to pay quickly, pause the payment.
If you want, I can also help you draft a short internal note for your accounts process.
Yes please — a short note I can send to accounts would be helpful.
Of course — you could send:
Please do not process payment for this month’s flour invoice yet. The bank details shown differ from those used previously. We are verifying the change directly with the supplier using our existing trusted contact details. Payment should only be approved once the new bank details have been independently confirmed.
If you’d like, I can also turn that into a more formal version for finance or a shorter WhatsApp-style message.
