How to Spot Fake LinkedIn InMail Payment Requests Targeting Australian Small Business Owners

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Spot Fake LinkedIn InMail Payment Requests Targeting Australian Small Business Owners. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Australian small business owners are increasingly targeted by fraudulent LinkedIn InMail messages requesting payments, invoice settlements, or financial details. These scams exploit the trust placed in professional networking platforms by impersonating legitimate clients, suppliers, or business partners. Recognising the warning signs early can prevent financial loss and protect your organisation’s sensitive information.

Common Warning Signs

Fraudulent InMail messages often share several identifiable characteristics. Be cautious of any message that exhibits one or more of the following red flags:

• Urgent demands for immediate payment or bank transfers
• Requests to update payment details or redirect invoices to a new account
• Messages from profiles with limited connection history or generic profile photos
• Poor spelling, grammar, or inconsistent Australian English usage
• Sender email addresses that do not match the claimed organisation’s domain
• Attachments or links requesting login credentials or financial information

How to Verify a Suspicious Payment Request

1. Open a new browser window and navigate directly to the organisation’s official website by typing the address manually.
2. Locate the organisation’s contact information using their published phone number or email address.
3. Contact the organisation using these verified details to confirm whether they sent the InMail message.
4. If the organisation denies sending the request, treat the message as fraudulent.

How to Report a Fraudulent InMail on LinkedIn

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account via a web browser or the LinkedIn mobile app.
2. Open your Messaging inbox and locate the suspicious InMail conversation.
3. Click or tap the More icon (three dots) within the message thread.
4. Select Report from the dropdown menu.
5. Choose the reporting reason that best describes the issue, such as Scam or fraud or Spam.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to submit the report to LinkedIn’s safety team.

How to Remove the Message from Your Inbox

1. While viewing the conversation, click or tap the More icon (three dots).
2. Select Delete or Delete conversation.
3. Confirm the action when prompted.

Never transfer funds or share banking details based solely on a LinkedIn InMail message. Always verify payment requests through a separate, trusted communication channel before actioning any invoice or transfer.

Enable two-factor authentication on your LinkedIn account to add an extra layer of security. This helps prevent unauthorised access if your login credentials are compromised.

What to Do If You Have Already Sent Money

1. Contact your financial institution immediately to report the fraudulent transaction.
2. Request a stop payment or recall of funds if the transfer has not yet been processed.
3. Change passwords for any business email or banking accounts that may have been exposed.
4. Report the incident to ReportCyber via the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
5. If you require assistance securing your business systems, Open a Ticket with 220 Internet Services.

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