Push Payment Fraud UK: How Scammers Trick You Into Sending Your Own Money
Scammers are using your bank's name and urgent language to push you into sending your own money away—here's how to stop them.
What is this scam?
Push payment fraud is when you are tricked into deliberately sending money from your own bank account to a scammer's account. Unlike card fraud or cheque fraud, you are the one who authorises and processes the payment, using your legitimate online banking or mobile app. The scammer impersonates your bank, a business you trust, a solicitor, or someone claiming to be a family member in crisis. Once the money leaves your account, it's extremely difficult for your bank to recover it because the payment was authorised by you, the legitimate account holder. This type of fraud has become increasingly common in the UK, with victims losing thousands of pounds. Your bank cannot reverse a push payment in the same way they can dispute a card transaction, which is why scammers favour this method. The fraud exploits the fact that most people trust their banks and act quickly when told their accounts are at risk.
Warning signs to look for
- You receive an unexpected call, text, or email claiming to be from your bank asking you to move money urgently or 'verify' a transaction.
- The message creates artificial panic—claiming fraudulent activity, a security breach, or that your account will be locked unless you act now.
- You're asked to log into your banking app or website while on a call with someone claiming to be your bank, or you're told to transfer money to a 'safe account'.
- A supposed solicitor or conveyancer in a house sale asks you to wire money to an unfamiliar account, especially if they ask you to keep it confidential.
- Links in emails or texts look almost like your bank's website but have slight spelling differences (e.g., 'your-barclay-secure.co.uk' instead of 'barclays.co.uk').
- Someone you 'know' messages you out of the blue saying they're in trouble and need money urgently, but their tone or language feels slightly off.
- Your bank would never ask you to move money to another account or to confirm sensitive information like your full PIN, password, or card details.
- Pressure to act immediately or threats of account closure are classic scam tactics.
How this scam works step by step
The scammer typically begins by contacting you via phone, text, email, or fake social media message. They either claim to be your bank calling about suspicious activity on your account, or they pose as a business, solicitor, or family member. The initial message creates urgency—your account is at risk, a house purchase is being delayed, or a loved one needs emergency help. If you engage, the scammer may ask you to confirm personal details to 'verify' who you are, building trust through conversation. They then direct you to log into your legitimate banking app or website while remaining on the call with them, so they can 'guide' you through security steps. Once you're logged in, they instruct you to set up a new payee (a transfer recipient) and send money to what they claim is a 'safe account' or a legitimate business account. You complete the entire transfer yourself, using your own security credentials. By the time you realise something is wrong, the money has left your account and is being moved quickly through multiple accounts or withdrawn. The scammer disappears, and your bank tells you the payment was authorised by you, so recovery is extremely limited.
How to verify if it is genuine
If you receive an unexpected call or message claiming to be from your bank, hang up or ignore the message immediately. Do not click any links or call any numbers provided in the message. Instead, contact your bank directly using the phone number on the back of your debit card, or the official number on your bank's website. Your genuine bank will never ask you to move money, confirm your PIN or full password, or log into your account while on a phone call with a supposed staff member. If you're unsure about a business or solicitor, independently verify their contact details by searching their official website or phoning their main reception line—do not use contact details from the message you received. For house purchases or legal matters, contact your conveyancer or solicitor independently before sending any money. For suspected impersonation emails, check our guide on /guides/bank-transfer-scam-warning-signs/ for detailed verification steps. If anything feels rushed or unusual, pause and verify independently. Genuine businesses will always wait for you to confirm details safely, rather than pressuring you to act immediately.
What to do if you have already interacted
If you've already sent money, contact your bank immediately—call the number on the back of your card, not any number from the scammer's message. Report the fraud as soon as possible; banks have a limited window to try to freeze or recall the money before it's withdrawn or transferred further. Your bank should flag the receiving account as fraud-related, which can help prevent the scammer from moving the money. Keep all evidence: screenshots of messages, records of calls (including numbers), emails, and transaction confirmations. File a report with Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk as soon as possible. Report suspicious emails to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk and forward suspicious texts to 7726. If you've lost a large sum, consider reporting the matter to your local police force as well. Many banks now offer 'Authorised Push Payment (APP) protection' through voluntary schemes, which may help you recover some or all of the money depending on circumstances. Do not send any more money to anyone asking you to 'recover' your lost funds—this is a common follow-up scam.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report push payment fraud immediately to Action Fraud, the UK's official fraud reporting service, by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk. Have your bank details, transaction references, and a timeline of events ready. If the fraud involved impersonation of your bank via email, report it to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk—include the full email headers if possible. If you received a suspicious text message, forward it to 7726 (free from any UK network). Contact your bank's fraud team immediately on the number on your card to initiate a fraud investigation and request a chargeback or APP protection claim. Citizens Advice also offers a consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 if you need guidance on your rights and next steps. Many UK banks are signed up to the Authorised Push Payment (APP) Scams Code, which provides compensation schemes for victims who have taken reasonable care. Provide all evidence to your bank, including screenshots, call logs, and email chains. The more detail you provide, the stronger your case for recovery under APP protection schemes.
Frequently asked questions
Is my bank legitimate, or should I assume it's always trying to scam me?
Your bank is legitimate, but scammers impersonate it very convincingly. The key rule is: your genuine bank will never ask you to move money, confirm your PIN or full password, or log into your account during a phone call. If you receive an unexpected request to do these things, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your card—do not use any number from the message you received.
What should I do if I've already sent money to a scammer?
Contact your bank immediately on the number on your card and report it as fraud. Ask about Authorised Push Payment (APP) protection or fraud recovery schemes. Report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk. The faster you act, the better your chances of recovery, as banks can sometimes freeze or recall money before it's withdrawn.
How can I tell if a solicitor's request for money during a house sale is genuine?
Never send money to a solicitor or conveyancer based on an email or message alone, even if it looks official. Instead, phone the law firm's main reception line (using a number you find independently on their website) and confirm the payment request, bank details, and any instructions. Scammers often hack solicitor emails or send fake messages claiming to be conveyancers. Legitimate solicitors expect this verification step.
How do I report push payment fraud in the UK?
Report to Action Fraud immediately on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk, and contact your bank's fraud team on the number on your card. If you received a fraudulent email, report it to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk. For suspicious texts, forward to 7726. You can also call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 for guidance on your consumer rights and recovery options.