In the world of cybercrime, few threats are as costly and as underreported as Business Email Compromise (BEC). The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports that BEC scams have caused billions of dollars in losses to companies worldwide, and they’re only becoming more sophisticated.

If your business relies on email to communicate with clients, vendors, or partners, you could be a target. Here’s what you need to know about how BEC works, its impact, and what steps to take if it happens to you.

What Is Business Email Compromise?

BEC is a social engineering attack where cybercriminals impersonate a trusted person such as your CEO, CFO, vendor, or partner to trick employees into transferring money or sensitive information.

Common BEC tactics include:

  • CEO Fraud – Posing as a company executive requesting an urgent wire transfer.
  • Vendor Email Compromise – Hacking a supplier’s account to send fake invoices.
  • Payroll Diversion – Asking HR to change an employee’s direct deposit details.
  • Gift Card Scams – Requesting gift card purchases for “client gifts” or “team rewards.”

Why BEC Is So Dangerous

Unlike traditional phishing attacks that rely on malicious links or attachments, BEC uses legitimate-looking messages or emails to exploit human trust. Because the emails often appear authentic using real names, familiar language, and genuine-looking domains they can bypass spam filters and even fool security-conscious employees.

The consequences for businesses can be devastating:

  • Direct financial loss from fraudulent transactions.
  • Reputational damage if client data is exposed.
  • Operational disruption while investigating and containing the breach.
  • Legal and compliance risks if sensitive information is compromised.

What to Do Immediately If You Suspect BEC

If you believe your company has been targeted or compromised, act fast every minute counts.

  1. Stop the Transaction – Contact your bank immediately to halt or recall the transfer.
  2. Alert Internal Teams – Notify your IT, finance, and legal departments right away.
  3. Change Credentials – Reset passwords for all affected accounts.
  4. Preserve Evidence – Save emails, headers, and logs for forensic analysis.
  5. Report the Incident – File a complaint with the FBI’s IC3 and inform law enforcement.
  6. Scan for Additional Compromise – Ensure no other accounts or systems have been breached.

How to Protect Your Business from BEC

Preventing BEC requires a combination of technology, training, and proactive monitoring. At Intelecis, we help businesses strengthen defenses with:

  • Advanced Email Security – Blocking spoofed domains and suspicious sender activity.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication – Ensuring stolen credentials alone won’t give attackers access.
  • Employee Awareness Training – Teaching staff how to recognize and report suspicious emails.
  • 24/7 Threat Monitoring – Detecting and responding to attacks in real time.
  • Vendor Risk Management – Validating payment requests and supplier communications.

Intelecis: Your BEC Defense Partner

Business Email Compromise is one of the most financially damaging cyber threats but with the right partner, it’s also one of the most preventable.

Our white-glove cybersecurity services ensure your systems, processes, and people are ready to identify and stop BEC attempts before they cause harm.

Book a free Cyber Risk Assessment today and see how we can safeguard your business from evolving email-based threats.