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What to do if…
you receive an invoice for a purchase or service you never ordered

Short answer

Don’t pay it and don’t click anything on it. Verify whether any real charge or account exists using a trusted route (your bank/card issuer or an official company contact you find independently), then dispute or report through official channels.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t pay “to avoid collections” while you’re unsure what it is.
  • Don’t click links, open attachments, scan QR codes, or call numbers printed on the invoice.
  • Don’t provide personal information, passwords, one-time passcodes, or payment details to “confirm” anything.
  • Don’t agree to a payment plan or admit the debt is yours “until it’s sorted out.”
  • Don’t ignore a real lawsuit/summons — that has deadlines and needs prompt action.
  • Don’t throw the invoice away; keep a copy for disputes and reports.

What to do now

  1. Save evidence immediately. Keep the envelope/letter or save the email and take screenshots. Write down the date it arrived.
  2. Check whether any real money moved.
    • Review recent credit/debit card transactions and bank withdrawals for a matching charge.
    • If the invoice claims an account/subscription exists, log in only by typing the company’s website address yourself (not through the invoice) and check your account status.
  3. Verify the sender safely (independently). If it names a legitimate business, find their customer service contact from an official website you locate yourself (or your existing account paperwork) and ask whether an order/account exists under your name/address/email.
  4. If there’s a charge you don’t recognize, dispute it through your issuer.
    • Contact your credit/debit card issuer using the number on your statement or the back of your card.
    • Ask how to file a billing dispute and where to send it (many issuers have a specific “billing disputes” address or process). Do this as soon as you can.
  5. If a debt collector contacts you about it:
    • Ask for the required debt validation information and dispute the debt in writing if it’s not yours.
    • Keep communication in writing as much as possible and avoid giving extra personal details (especially Social Security number) to “verify” who you are.
  6. If you suspect identity theft (new accounts, collections, or repeated invoices):
    • Use the federal government’s identity theft reporting and recovery service (run by the FTC) to create a recovery plan and documentation.
    • Get your credit reports through the federally authorized free credit report website (“Annual Credit Report”) and look for unfamiliar accounts, addresses, or collections.
    • Add protection:
      • Fraud alert: you can typically place it by contacting one nationwide credit bureau; they notify the others.
      • Credit freeze: you generally need to place it separately with each nationwide credit bureau.
  7. If unordered merchandise shows up: you generally don’t have to pay for things you didn’t order. Focus on disputing any related charges and reporting the attempt rather than negotiating with the sender.
  8. Report the scam attempt.
    • Report it to the Federal Trade Commission via its official scam reporting site.
    • If it arrived by mail as a “false invoice” or invoice-like solicitation, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to prove it’s a scam to the sender right now — you only need to avoid paying and verify via trusted channels.
  • You don’t need to decide immediately whether to take legal action; focus on stopping loss and preventing further access.
  • You don’t have to contact every agency at once. If there’s no charge and no identity-theft signs, safe verification + reporting is enough for now.

Important reassurance

This is a common tactic and it’s designed to make you move fast. An unexpected invoice is not the same as a confirmed debt — slowing down, verifying independently, and disputing through official channels is the safest approach.

Scope note

This guide covers the first steps to prevent loss and reduce harm. If the situation escalates into repeated collection attempts, credit-report issues, or confirmed identity theft, you may need additional help beyond these initial actions.

Important note

This guide is general information for urgent first steps and harm prevention, not legal or financial advice. If you’ve paid, shared sensitive information, or see signs of identity theft, prioritize contacting your bank/card issuer through trusted contact routes.

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