Private digital intelligence bureau Lawful OSINT — Cyber monitoring — Due diligence
Internet Intelligence Service Private digital intelligence

Topic pathway

Fraud prevention and contact verification

Choose the right checks for messages, supplier payments, recruitment, fundraising and fake support.

Is the requested action legitimate?

First action

Pause payment, document transfer or remote access. Reconnect through a known channel found outside the received message.

Useful output

A record of the original request, independently reached contact, verified destination and payment or access decision.

Interpretation limit

A legitimate company, genuine invoice or correct logo does not authenticate the request. If a transfer has already occurred, contact the bank through its official channel immediately.

Select the guide matching the question

Analyse a suspicious messageFraud guide · 11 minVerify changed supplier bank detailsPayment fraud guide · 12 minRespond to fake technical supportSupport impersonation guide · 12 minVerify a job offer and recruiterFraud guide · 12 minVerify an online fundraising appealVerification guide · 12 minCheck a suspicious website or domainWeb fraud guide · 11 minVerify an online identityOSINT guide · 9 min

Keep the decision traceable

Record the fact being checked, the material reviewed, what remains unknown, the person responsible and the next review trigger. A result is useful when another reader can understand why an action was chosen and what would change it.

2025 threat observatory20 indicators · CSV + JSONOSINT source-reliability matrix32 source types · filter + CSVDigital intelligence glossary63 terms · filter + CSVDigital verification matrix36 checks · filter + CSVDigital incident triage28 scenarios · filter + CSV

Consult primary source portals

Match the situation to a check and a usable output

SituationCheckRecord to keep
Changed bank detailsPause the change; call a known contact using a previously retained number.Contact identity, confirmed destination and approval independent of the message.
Recruiter demanding an advanceVerify the opening through the employer and confirm the recruiter’s mandate.Job reference and independently obtained response.
Support requesting remote accessClose the solicitation and independently open official support.Original message and actions taken; notify IT if access was granted.
Urgent fundraising storyIdentify organiser, beneficiary and payment route.Source of need, donation destination and remaining unknowns.

When to pause and escalate

Requests for secrecy, urgency or bypassing normal approval warrant a pause. Do not let pressure choose the verification channel. If funds have already been sent, immediate contact with the bank takes priority over lengthy OSINT research.

Prepare a source and decision log →

FAQ

Does an authenticated email make the request safe?

No. A genuine account can be compromised. Check the action and beneficiary independently.

What belongs in an initial report?

Original request, relevant times, action taken and a short timeline. Exclude passwords and temporary codes.

Further reading

Editorial resources on other sites