Practical Steps for Corporate Payment Practitioners to Reduce Credit-Push Payments Fraud

October 28, 2026 / Source: Nacha

Credit-push payments fraud has emerged as one of the most significant fraud threats facing organizations today. Unlike unauthorized transactions, credit-push fraud occurs when an organization is deceived into initiating a legitimate payment under false pretenses. The payment is authorized by the company, but the authorization is based on false information provided by a fraudster. 

These deceptions rely on social engineering and impersonation. Fraudsters pose as vendors requesting changes to payment instructions, executives directing an urgent payment, or employees seeking updates to Direct Deposit information. In each scenario, the organization believes it is making a valid payment, only to discover later that the funds were sent to an account controlled by a fraudster. 

Recognizing the growing threat, Nacha adopted new transaction monitoring rules that went into effect earlier in 2026. The Nacha Operating Rules now require risk-based processes and procedures that are reasonably intended to identify ACH credits initiated under false pretenses.  Organizations that originate ACH payments should treat fraud prevention as a core component of their payment processes rather than a final review step.  

Although technology plays an important role, many fraud prevention efforts begin with simple operational controls. Some considerations when thinking about operational controls include:  

• Establishing clear procedures for validating payment instruction changes. 
• Verifying account information using trusted channels.  
• Requiring additional approvals for higher-risk or unusual transactions.  

Employee awareness is equally important. Staff responsible for accounts payable, treasury, payroll, and finance should understand common fraud tactics and know how to identify red flags before payments are released. 

Even with strong controls, payments initiated under false pretenses may still get through. When such a payment is identified, speed matters. Corporate practitioners could immediately determine whether a payment was sent to someone other than the intended recipient, review the transaction details, and contact their financial institution to discuss recovery options. Correcting payment information, verifying updated details, and notifying appropriate management personnel are also some potential early response steps. 

Organizations can also conduct a post-incident review to determine how the fraud occurred and whether additional payments were affected. Activities that could be included in the post-incident review include:  

• Identifying the source of the fraud. 
• Assessing the fraud’s root causes. 
• Engaging internal resources, such as information security or audit teams. 
• Updating policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents. 
• Educating staff on lessons learned.  
• Contact law enforcement, including the IC3 and local law enforcement. 

Credit-push fraud is a persistent issue, but by combining risk-based monitoring, strong verification processes, employee education, and a clear response plan, businesses can move from simply processing payments to actively protecting them. 

Terms to Know:  

Credit-Push Payments Fraud: Credit-push payments fraud is a type of scam in which an organization is deceived into authorizing a payment to the wrong recipient based on fraudulent instructions or misinformation.  

False Pretenses: the inducement of a payment by a Person misrepresenting (a) that Person’s identity, (b) that Person’s association with or authority to act on behalf of another Person, or (c) the ownership of an account to be credited.  Nacha Operating Rules, Article 8 Section 8.42 

Want to learn more about considerations for before and after a fraudulent payment? Check out the Originator Checklist for Credit Push Fraud Payments here.