Schools have suffered “substantial financial losses” after being targeted by fraudsters posing as their headteacher.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has issued a warning about an increase in the number of incidents in recent weeks, which have seen “several schools” falling victim to the crime.

The bureau said schools are being targeted by a fraudster who uses a fake email address to contact a member of staff responsible for authorising financial transfers, pretending to be the headteacher or principal of the school.

They ask for a one-off - and often urgent - bank transfer to be made, with the amounts requested ranging between £8,000 and £10,000.

The bureau advised schools to ensure that they have “robust processes in place to verify and corroborate all requests to change any supplier or payment details”.

It said they should get in touch with the supplier or internal colleague directly, using contact details that they know are correct, to confirm the request they have received is legitimate.

Employees ‘must challenge requests for payment’

It added: “All employees should be aware of these procedures and encouraged to challenge requests they think may be suspicious, particularly urgent-sounding requests from senior employees.”

The bureau warned that sensitive information that is posted publicly, or disposed of incorrectly, can be used by fraudsters, and that the more information they have, the more convincingly they can pretend to be a legitimate supplier or employee.

Anyone affected by this, or any other type of fraud, is advised to report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk/.

Last month, the Charity Commission warned that fraudsters were targeting the parents of children at independent schools, sending them purported payment instructions for the latest school fees.

The commission said initial contact appears to be made primarily via email and often from the school’s compromised email system.

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