Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud happens when you are tricked by a criminal into sending money by bank payment (through online / mobile / telephone or at branch) to an account that they control and which you do not.

Common types of APP fraud include:

  • where criminals pretend to sell things that don’t exist
  • where criminals claim to be someone from a bank, the police or another trusted organisation to steal money
  • where you’re convinced to move your money into a fictitious fund or to pay for what later turns out to be a fake investment
  • when criminals use a fake dating profile to start a relationship with you and then ask for money
  • where fraudsters send false invoices

From the 7 October 2024 banks and other payment service providers will reimburse victims of APP fraud if your payment, made on or after this date, falls into one of these categories:

  • Payments made within the UK (Overseas payments are NOT covered)
  • Payments made using Faster Payments
  • Payments made using CHAPS
  • Payments from personal bank accounts and payments made by micro-enterprises and certain charities

The rules of the scheme have been set by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the body that regulates payment systems in the UK. These changes will be reflected in our Terms and Conditions by April 2025.

Remember, fraud affects people from all walks of life, and you should never be embarrassed if you have been scammed.   You should, however, always be careful and cautious when making payments.

Please follow any advice or warnings provided by us and law enforcement.

Your bank does not have to reimburse money lost in an APP fraud if you have shown a significant degree of negligence when making a payment

For more information please visit APP guide | Take Five to Stop Fraud (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk)