
Fraud is Evolving. Is Your Business Ready?
The Fraud Landscape in 2025
According to the 2025 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, a staggering 79% of organizations experienced actual or attempted payments fraud in 2024. Business email compromise (BEC) and check fraud remain the most prevalent types of scams, affecting 63% of businesses. Wire transfers have once again become the primary target of BEC attacks.
At Scale Bank, we’re seeing these same patterns in real-time and stepping in to help our clients prevent fraud before it leads to financial loss.
Real-World Examples from Our Clients

In one case, a fraudster hacked a client’s email, identified that a wire transfer was pending for a business acquisition, and mailed us a letter with “new” wire instructions. Thanks to the vigilance of our operations team, who identified inconsistencies in logos and formatting, the fraud was caught in time.
In another case, cybercriminals used detailed knowledge of a company’s past transactions to request additional user access for ACH and wire transfers. Our team called the client directly, a simple action that revealed the account compromise and prevented further damage.
The Role of Scale Bank’s Fraud Protection Services
Here’s how our tools are designed to help:
- Positive Pay: Verifies checks before they clear. In 2024, this service prevented 71 fraudulent items totaling nearly $300,000.
- ACH Filter: Blocks unauthorized ACH withdrawals, giving clients control over which transactions are allowed.
- Dual Approval: Ensures no single user can both initiate and approve high-risk transactions.
Best Practices for Business Owners

While Scale Bank offers powerful tools, the most effective fraud prevention happens inside your business. We recommend:
- Segregate financial duties: No one person should handle both approvals and payments.
- Verify vendor changes: Always call known contacts before updating wiring instructions.
- Secure email and systems: Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and train employees to spot phishing attempts.
- Conduct annual reviews: Reassess your fraud controls as part of your internal review.
- Get insured – and know what it covers: Make sure your business has cybersecurity insurance to protect against losses from fraud, data breaches, and cyberattacks. Review the policy details with your provider to understand coverage limits, exclusions, and claim requirements so you’re not caught off guard when it matters most.
What’s Next: The Rise of AI-Driven Fraud

As AI deepfakes and voice cloning tools advance, fraudsters are finding new ways to manipulate communication channels. One notable case involved a fake video call that tricked an accountant into wiring funds, leading them to believe they were speaking with their CEO. It’s a chilling reminder that verification processes must evolve as well.
We’re exploring more robust account verification methods and encouraging clients to support enhanced security measures, even if they require a little extra time.
Fraud Is Evolving—So Are the Defenses
Scale Bank can help educate you on best practices, tools, and services for implementing protections and training your team to respond effectively.
Contact your Scale Bank representative to discuss your current fraud efforts or schedule a Treasury Management review.

Chris Funk
VP, Treasury Management Sales
952-830-7289
[email protected]