The Scam-Proof Contractor

A real project. A familiar supplier. A correct invoice. One changed bank account. Payment-diversion fraud succeeds because the request fits normal business. A criminal may enter a genuine email thread, imitate a director's voice, alter an invoice, register a look-alike domain, or pressure an employee to bypass one small control. By the time the real supplier asks why it has not been paid, the money may already be gone. The Scam-Proof Contractor is a practical fraud-defense guide for contractors, subcontractors, developers, consultants, project managers, finance teams, procurement staff, trades, and family-run construction firms. Inside, readers will learn how to: - Apply the Two-Channel Rule before changing payment details - Verify suppliers and bank accounts without trusting the requesting message - Build dual approval, payment thresholds, and separation of duties - Detect fake invoices, compromised email threads, and look-alike domains - Respond safely to AI voice cloning, video impersonation, and urgent executive requests - Protect payroll, refunds, variations, mobilization payments, and new-vendor setup - Create a first-hour incident response plan that supports rapid bank action - Train staff with short drills that fit real construction workflows - Build a complete payment-control system in 30 days The book includes 25 focused chapters, fictional case exercises, a 30-day implementation plan, and 23 practical appendices containing callback scripts, onboarding forms, approval records, incident logs, supplier notices, audit checklists, staff training materials, an annual review calendar, and an emergency contact directory. No expensive software or cybersecurity background is required. The controls are designed to be understandable, auditable, and usable in busy offices and active project environments. Protect the payment. Protect the supplier relationship. Protect the project.