The Xs and Os of Fraud Prevention

Fraud is real and it’s out there. It’s not a matter of if scammers will hit your business, but when.

Fraud risks aren’t just increasing in volume, it’s increasing in sophistication. Today’s fraudsters combine technology, AI, and human deception to exploit a business’s vulnerabilities.

That’s why we’ve created a fraud prevention playbook to keep you — and your customers — safe.

View the Playbook

Free, easy-to-read guide • No email required

Fraud by the numbers.

As fraudsters evolve their tactics and use AI more effectively, businesses are paying the price.

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79%

Organizations reported experiencing fraud attacks or attempts.

7.7%

Average revenue lost by businesses affected by fraud.

$3B

Total losses due to Business Email Compromise in 2025.

Hear from our experts.

Take it from us: we know what it takes to go up against the bad guys. Hear from some of our expert bankers how Washington Trust prepares you to face fraud risks of all shapes and sizes.

Let’s get a scouting report on your opponent.

Vice President and Relationship Manager III Seth Kinsey walks us through how fraud happens along with three core categories of fraud: human-driven deception, financial and payment fraud, and technical system compromise.

It’s now time to go on offense.

As Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager IV Greg Hansch explains, the most effective way to fight fraud is to disrupt attacks before they happen. Greg shows us how tactics like regular training, strong internal controls, and more go a long way in forcing fraudsters to move on.

Sometimes, even the strongest prevention efforts won’t stop a fraud attempt.

That’s why defense matters. Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Team Leader Kevin Bedlington details strategies that are designed to slow attackers down and catch fraud as early as possible.

What's inside the fraud prevention playbook?

Our experts have developed a strategy to understand your opponent, and how to play both offense and defense. We’ll go over how fraud looks and feels, including scouting reports on some of the most common scams. Finally, we’ll arm you with the skills, know-how, and internal controls on what to do when fraudsters come knocking on your virtual door for sensitive information.

Email compromise and phishing.

Business email compromise and phishing are common fraud tactics in which scammers impersonate or spoof trusted individuals, organizations, or email accounts to steal sensitive information or redirect payments.

ACH, wire fraud, and payment fraud.

Fraudsters frequently target payment rails, including ACH and wire transfers, using compromised accounts or payment processes to execute unauthorized or manipulated electronic payments.

AI, deepfakes, and emerging threats.

Also known as synthetic identity fraud, scammers create identities using real, false, and stolen data fragments through deepfakes, including fabricated audio and images that appear real.

Social engineering and human deception.

In a social engineering attack, fraudsters use phone calls, texts, or in-person manipulation combined with psychological control to gain access to systems or payments.

Fraud prevention strategies.

Businesses are best protected by taking a proactive, offensive approach that disrupts suspicious activity rather than relying solely on defensive measures after an attack.

Incident response and recovery planning.

When proactive measures aren't enough, defensive fraud prevention tactics can help limit damage, enable rapid detection and response, and strengthen organizational resilience.

Stay ahead of emerging fraud risks.

Fraud stops with you. You’re the strongest line of defense against fraud — so arm yourself with The Xs and Os of Fraud Prevention: A Fraud Blocking Playbook for Businesses. We’ve created this simple yet comprehensive guide on how to prepare, and we’re happy to share it with you at no cost.

What’s inside:

Most common business fraud schemes.
AI-driven scams and emerging threats.
Offensive and defensive prevention strategies.
Payment approval best practices.
Real-time monitoring strategies.
And much more.

View the Playbook

Steps to take if your business suspects fraud.

Washington Trust Bank is a recognized leader in fraud prevention and security. We’re committed to protecting your financial well-being with advanced tools, proactive monitoring, and expert guidance. Our team is here to help you stay secure, stay informed, and stay confident in every transaction.

Stop

It's OK to pause, question, or disengage whenever you feel pressured or suspicious.

Pause

Think about the situation — did anything feel off or raise red flags?

Verify

Call Washington Trust Bank at a known number to verify the request.

Fraud prevention tools and services.

Fraud prevention products and services designed to protect your business. Washington Trust provides commercial and business banking clients with tools that improve fraud detection, strengthen internal controls, and help reduce the risk of check fraud, ACH fraud, and other fraudulent activities.

ACH Positive Pay

Monitors incoming ACH debits so you can review, approve, or block transactions before they're processed, helping detect suspicious activity before funds leave your account. It’s a self-service, flexible alternative to an ACH Debit Filter.

Treasury Management

Whether you’re a small to midsize business or a large enterprise, Washington Trust offers tailored treasury solutions to help you reduce operational risk.

Fraud Alerts & Monitoring

Set up alerts in Business Digital Banking to receive notifications by email, text, phone, or at login based on criteria such as account activity, balance thresholds, and security events.

Ready to get started?

Connect with an expert.

With more than 40 locations throughout Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, there’s a Washington Trust location near you with a team of bankers ready to serve.

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The X's and O's of Fraud Prevention