It’s the end of the year, your to-do list is already overflowing, and you’re trying to tie up loose ends before heading into the holidays. Then you get an email from your CEO. It says there’s an urgent request that needs to be completed immediately. Maybe it’s a wire transfer for a “confidential deal,” or a request for sensitive employee data. The message says not to tell anyone else, just to get it done immediately.
Your pulse picks up. This is the CEO. If she says it’s urgent, you want to act fast. But that moment, right there, is precisely when scammers are counting on you to skip the second-guessing and jump straight into action. That’s what makes the “CEO Said So” scam so effective.
What the Scam Looks Like
Sometimes called “CEO fraud” or “executive impersonation,” this fraud happens when someone pretends to be a high-ranking leader in your organization and provides immediate direction on sensitive matters. The communication usually comes by email, but it can also be a phone call or even a text message. The scammer often uses a fake email address that looks almost exactly like the real one, or they’ll disguise the “from” name so it appears legitimate. Typically, the request has a few things in common:
- It’s urgent and time-sensitive.
- It involves money, sensitive data, or confidential information.
- It encourages secrecy so that you won’t double-check with anyone else.
- It catches you in the middle of a busy day or time of year when your focus is pulled in multiple directions.
Why It Works
The “CEO Said So” scam works because it plays on trust and authority. When the head of your company tells you to do something, you naturally want to deliver. The scam also takes advantage of time pressure. If you feel like you only have minutes to respond, you’re less likely to pause and verify the request. And by asking you to keep it between you and “the CEO,” it removes the safety net of getting a second opinion.
A Couple of Real-Life Scenarios
Let’s take a look at a few examples of real-life scenarios where employees were not fooled by this scam and how they handled it:
- Example 1: A finance employee received an email from their CEO asking for a large wire transfer to secure a “time-sensitive acquisition.” The message sounded professional, and the email address looked correct at first glance. However, before proceeding, the employee decided to call the CEO directly using the number in the company directory. It turns out the CEO never sent the request, and the finance team dodged what could have been a considerable loss.
- Example #2: A department assistant received a text message from a number resembling the CEO’s, requesting that she purchase multiple high-value gift cards for an “employee appreciation event” and send the codes immediately. She senses something is off, so she checks with her manager in person. Sure enough, it’s a scam, and the “CEO” was a criminal hoping for quick compliance.
In both cases, taking a few minutes to verify saved the company money and protected the employees from being caught in a scam.
How to Stay Safe
As you can see, the good news is that these scams are preventable if you know what to look for and stick to a few simple habits.
- Pause before you act. If something feels urgent and unusual, take a breath. Give yourself a few moments to think before clicking, replying, or transferring funds. A scammer’s worst enemy is time, because the longer you take, the more likely you are to spot the red flags.
- Use a second communication channel to verify. If you get an urgent request from your CEO, CFO, or another leader, confirm it by calling them on a known phone number or sending a message through an internal chat system. Do not use the contact details in the suspicious message.
- Look closely at the sender’s email address. At first glance, fake addresses can look almost identical to the real ones. A single letter or number out of place is all it takes. Click “reply” and see if the email address changes. If it doesn’t match exactly, stop right there.
- Follow established procedures. If your company has policies for authorizing payments or sharing sensitive information, follow them every time, even if the request feels like it’s coming from the very top. Real leaders won’t ask you to skip safeguards.
- Speak up if something feels off. A workplace culture that encourages questions and quick reporting makes it much harder for scams to succeed. If you suspect a request might be fraudulent, let your manager or IT team know right away. You may help protect others from the same attack.
Why Year-End Is a Favorite Time for Scammers
Year-end is busy for most businesses. People are working against deadlines, balancing holiday schedules, and closing out the year’s finances. That pressure makes it easier for a scammer to slip in unnoticed. When the “CEO” says something is urgent, the instinct is to move fast so you can get back to the mountain of other tasks.
Being aware of this pattern is the first step to breaking it. When you see that combination of urgency, secrecy, and authority, you’ll know to slow down instead of speeding up.
Staying a Step Ahead
The “CEO Said So” scam works because it feels real in the moment. It’s not always clumsy or obvious. The wording can be professional, the request can be believable, and the timing can make perfect sense. But pausing to verify protects both you and your organization from financial loss and data breaches.
Remember these three things with any request:
- If it’s urgent, slow down.
- If it’s secret, ask why.
- If it’s from leadership, double-check using a trusted method.
Scammers are hoping you’ll skip these steps. Make it a habit not to. By staying alert and following the proper procedures, you can protect yourself, your team, and your company from falling for the “CEO Said So” scam, whether it’s December 31 or any day of the year.
