Top 5 Payment Scams Targeting Maryland Businesses Right Now (and How to Stay Protected)
Payment scams targeting Maryland businesses are more common than ever in 2025. This article reveals the top threats and how your business can stay protected. As of June 2025, Maryland businesses are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated payment fraud. In 2024 alone, Maryland residents reported 44,195 fraud incidents totaling nearly $202 million—a sharp rise from 2023. Below are the top 5 scams to watch, with actionable steps to safeguard your operations.
Business Email Compromise Targeting Maryland Businesses (BEC)
What it is: Criminals hack or spoof email accounts—often of executives or vendors—to redirect payments.
Maryland impact: A recent Baltimore City BEC led to over $1.5 million lost in a March 2025 incident.
Protection tips:
– Institute dual-approval protocols for all vendor payments.
– Educate staff to verify any change in payment details, especially requests coming via email.
– Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure email and finance systems.
Phishing, Smishing & Vishing
What it is: Scammers impersonate banks or vendors via email (phishing), text (smishing), or phone calls (vishing), tricking employees into divulging credentials or sending funds.
How prevalent: Phishing remains the most common social engineering method. Scammers use stress tactics, posing as official senders and creating urgency.
Protection tips:
– Conduct regular phishing awareness training for employees.
– Implement simulated phishing campaigns to test and strengthen defenses.
– Verify suspicious contacts via trusted phone numbers or direct company website channels.
Overpayment Scams
What it is: A fraudster sends a fake check for more than the invoice amount and asks for a refund of the ‘overage’. Once the check bounces, your refund is gone too.
Protection tips:
– Wait for check clearance (typically 7–10 days) before issuing refunds.
– Consider adopting electronic payments for invoices to reduce risk.
– Scrutinize sudden last-minute overpayments or excuses involving extra charges.
Technical Support / Refund Scams
What it is: Scammers pose as vendors or payment processors, claiming system issues or fake overcharges, then request payment for ‘fixes’ or ‘refund fees’.
Why it matters: Businesses may trust familiar vendor branding—or legitimate phone numbers spoofed via caller ID—then unknowingly pay scammers.
Protection tips:
– Always call back verified vendor support lines listed on official websites.
– Never install remote access software unless it’s a verified support session.
– Educate staff to be alert for unexpected support calls or pop-ups requesting payment.
POS Payment Scams Maryland Retailers Should Know
What it is: Criminals attach devices to POS terminals to steal card data and PINs.
Relevance: This threat is active in restaurants, mobile vendors, and small shops.
Protection tips:
– Buy certified EMV chip and contactless terminals and update firmware regularly.
– Physically inspect terminals frequently to spot tampering.
– Use protections like 3-D Secure for eCommerce and address verification tools.
How Payment Scams Affect Maryland Businesses
Payment scams Maryland businesses experience can result in major financial losses and reputational damage. To reduce exposure, Maryland businesses should train their staff and implement advanced fraud detection tools.
How USBNE Can Help
USBNE offers a suite of solutions designed to make Maryland businesses safer:
1. Secure merchant onboarding and risk review.
2. PCI-compliant POS systems, including EMV/contactless upgrades and regular firmware maintenance.
3. Fraud detection tools- Equipment and software options that meet card industry standards
4. Employee training workshops, demos, and fraud-awareness resources.
5. Local support for quick verification of vendor requests or fraudulent alerts.
Read More
Maryland cybercrime is evolving — here’s what you need to know (Maryland Matters)
Ochamber guide to recognizing merchant-services scams
Gordon Feinblatt legal alert on BEC trends
Final Takeaway
Fraud isn’t slowing down, and Maryland businesses are ideal targets. USBNE’s local expertise, secure systems, and hands-on support ensure you’re not just aware—but well-protected.