LEONARDTOWN, MD — The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office issued a public warning April 6, 2026, alerting residents and businesses in Southern Maryland to an active email-based payment scam that targets ongoing legitimate business dealings.
Scammers monitor email conversations between companies and their clients, then insert fraudulent messages that closely mimic the legitimate business. These emails direct recipients to send payments, typically via wire transfer, for expected invoices. Victims believe they are paying the correct party, but funds go to an unknown third party instead. The deception often comes to light days later when the actual business inquires about the unpaid invoice.
This scam exploits trust built through normal email exchanges, making it particularly convincing. It has affected individuals and companies handling routine transactions across the region.
To protect against such fraud, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office recommends several verification steps. First, slow down and examine payment-related emails with care. Check the sender’s email address closely, as fraudulent versions may differ by only a single character from the real one.
Second, always verify any payment instructions through a separate, trusted channel before sending money. Use a known phone number to call the business directly rather than relying on details provided in the email.
Third, exercise caution with messages that create a sense of urgency. Take time to evaluate the request instead of acting immediately under pressure.
Fourth, confirm that both the “from” and “reply-to” addresses match the legitimate business contact information.
Fifth, before clicking any links, hover over them to ensure they lead to the correct website associated with the known business.
These preventive measures can help interrupt the scam before funds are lost. Wire transfers are especially risky because they are difficult to reverse once completed.
If someone suspects they have fallen victim to this scam, they should contact their bank immediately to try to stop or recover the transaction. Victims are also urged to report the incident to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. Prompt reporting assists authorities in tracking patterns and potentially aiding others affected.
The warning comes amid broader efforts by local law enforcement in Southern Maryland to combat evolving financial crimes that prey on digital communication. Similar alerts have been issued in recent months for other email and text-based schemes targeting county residents and developers.
For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency assistance or to report this scam, contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008.
This type of business email compromise scam continues to evolve, with scammers using sophisticated techniques to impersonate trusted contacts. Residents and businesses in St. Mary’s County, as well as neighboring Calvert and Charles counties, are encouraged to share this information with colleagues and partners to heighten awareness.
By remaining vigilant and following basic verification protocols, Southern Maryland residents can reduce the risk of falling prey to these costly deceptions that disrupt both personal and commercial finances.
