"One of the UK's leading specialists in financial mis-selling…"
The Times
Bank transfers are now the most common method for larger payments in the UK, surpassing cash, cheques and credit cards, and that makes them a popular target for fraud.
While it’s easy to assume that stolen bank details are the biggest threat, the most common type of scam is actually Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud. This is where you are tricked into authorising a bank transfer from your bank account to a fraudster, believing it to be a genuine payment. Fraudsters often prefer APP scams because convincing a victim to authorise a payment can be easier than obtaining banking credentials and carrying out unauthorised fraud.
The most common types of APP scams include impersonation scams (such as fake calls from your Bank or HMRC), romance scams, fake investment schemes, and invoice fraud. These scams often follow patterns we can legally challenge and recover funds for.
These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and even catching out Banks. Yet many victims feel too ashamed to share details with family, report it to their Bank or are overwhelmed by the complaints process, especially in sensitive cases like romance scams.
You may not have received the refund you deserve because:
Many victims do not receive the refunds they may be entitled to. In our experience, this is often because they feel embarrassed about reporting the scam, find the refund process overwhelming, or assume a bank’s refusal is the final decision. In some cases, a complaint to the FOS may still succeed even after a bank has rejected a claim.
One issue we frequently encounter is banks applying the gross negligence exception more broadly than the guidance issued by the Payment Systems Regulator allows. This can result in valid claims being refused when the circumstances deserve closer scrutiny.
According to a recent UK government survey, many victims are still left out of pocket, suffering not only financial loss but also emotional trauma, including stress, anxiety, and shame.
Remember: this is not your fault, and expert help is available.
We’ve helped hundreds of fraud victims get their money back, and we know how emotionally and financially devastating it can be. That’s why we combine expert legal support with genuine understanding from day one.
Here’s how we support you:
What we offer in your free case assessment:
Even where a transaction falls outside the APP reimbursement rules, recovery may still be possible. We regularly assess whether a bank could have taken additional steps to prevent the scam or recover funds after the event.
Our in-depth knowledge and track record mean we know how to build a strong case — no matter how the scam happened.
Find out if you qualify for a refund — Book Your Free Case Review Today.
Answer a few quick questions and request a free callback. Our team will contact you for a no-obligation chat and explain the next steps.
We have extensive experience helping clients pursue claims following significant financial losses.
We recognise that APP scams frequently involve impersonation, investment fraud and social engineering tactics designed to persuade victims to transfer funds.
You pay nothing unless we win. Our fees are a fixed, fair percentage of your recovery with no hidden costs.
Your claim is handled by qualified solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 468940).
Where appropriate, we can advise on potential routes to recovery and available complaints procedures.
We provide honest guidance so you understand your options before deciding how to proceed.
You’re tricked into transferring money yourself, believing it’s a genuine transaction. This differs from unauthorised payment, where a scammer steals your Bank details and transfers money without your approval.
Often using Faster Payments or CHAPS, the victim is tricked into making a Bank transfer directly to a scammer. These are usually covered under APP refund regulations.
Victims are persuaded to purportedly invest by Bank transfer into a fake cryptocurrency (“crypto”) — often through fake trading platforms or impersonated Banks. A growing variant is the “me-to-me” scam, where the victim believes they’re transferring funds to their own crypto wallet for safety.
You’re persuaded to invest money with promises of high returns on fake investments (often in cryptocurrency or shares) and encouraged to transfer funds.
You’re contacted via a dating app, social media or messaging app by someone who builds a fake relationship and then convinces you to make payments for made-up reasons like travel or medical costs.
Scammers impersonate a legitimate business supplier or contractor, tricking companies into paying fake invoices or updating payment details to fraudulent accounts.
A fraudster, pretending to be from your Bank, warns of suspicious activity and tells you to move your money to a “safe” account — which is actually controlled by them.
You’re contacted by someone pretending to be from a trusted institution, such as your Bank, HMRC, or the police, instructing you to make a payment to resolve a (non-existent) issue.
An employee receives an email appearing to come from a senior executive — often while the business owner is away — requesting urgent funds to be sent to a fraudulent account.
If you’ve been tricked into making a bank transfer, you may have a legal right to a refund under UK banking regulations, especially if the scam involved a UK-to-UK transfer and you weren’t “grossly negligent.”
Since October 2024, new rules have made it mandatory for UK Banks to refund victims of APP scams who meet specific conditions. Even if your Bank refuses, you may still win your case through the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams often involve fraudsters persuading victims to transfer money voluntarily. We assess what happened, review the available evidence and determine the most appropriate recovery strategy.
If you’ve lost money through an Authorised Push Payment scam, you may be worried about further financial costs. Our No Win, No Fee agreement allows you to pursue a claim without paying legal fees upfront.
What This Means for You
“Many victims are unaware that the new APP refund rules don’t cover transfers to foreign accounts or card payments — two of the most common types of scams we see. While banks often reject these claims, we can recover funds by proving that more could have been done to prevent or reverse the payment. Don’t assume a refusal is the final word.”
APP scams often involve wider fraud, including crypto and investment scams. If your case involves any of the following, we can help:
Yes, you may be able to recover money lost to a bank transfer scam through your bank’s reimbursement process. UK banking rules may require banks to refund scam victims, depending on the date of the scam, the payment method used, and the circumstances of the transaction. A bank may refuse a refund if it believes the customer acted with gross negligence. The burden of proof rests with the bank. It is for the bank to demonstrate that a customer acted with gross negligence, rather than for the customer to prove that they did not. Challenge a refusal through the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), as some customers remain eligible for reimbursement after an initial rejection. Review your legal rights and refund eligibility as soon as possible.
Report an Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam immediately and request a refund from your bank. An APP scam occurs when a fraudster persuades you to authorise a bank transfer through Faster Payments or CHAPS. Stop all communication with the fraudster and notify your bank as soon as possible. The bank may be able to stop or recover the payment, particularly if the funds remain within the UK banking system. Report the fraud to Action Fraud, as your bank may request a crime reference number when assessing your refund claim. Failure to report the scam when requested by your bank may affect refund eligibility. Banks must acknowledge refund requests within 15 days and provide a final response within 35 days. Escalate any refusal or partial refund offer to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Banks refuse APP scam refunds primarily because they believe the customer acted with gross negligence or because the payment falls outside the APP reimbursement rules. Gross negligence may include ignoring a clear fraud warning issued by the bank before the payment was made. Payments such as international transfers and some debit card transactions may not qualify for APP reimbursement. Challenge a refusal through the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which can require a bank to provide compensation if it determines the bank acted unfairly or failed to follow the rules correctly. Consider obtaining specialist legal advice where the payment falls outside the APP reimbursement rules, the bank has rejected or reduced your refund, or additional evidence may strengthen your case.
Start a scam recovery claim by collecting all available evidence and providing it to your bank and, if required, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Gather bank statements showing the relevant transactions, copies of emails, text messages, social media conversations, and any other communication with the scammer. Obtain and retain your Action Fraud or police crime reference number if you have reported the scam. Keep all correspondence with your bank, including refund requests, investigation updates, and final decisions. Organised evidence strengthens your claim, supports refund requests and appeals, and improves the likelihood of a successful recovery outcome.
Tim qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and has more than 25 years of experience advising clients on professional negligence, financial mis-selling and complex civil litigation matters. He oversees the firm’s professional negligence cases and advises on case strategy.
Tim has reviewed this page to help ensure the legal information is accurate, up to date and relevant to individuals considering a potential claim.
We offer a free, confidential consultation to help you understand your legal options. Our specialist solicitors handle professional negligence, pension and investment mis-selling, and fraud recovery claims across England and Wales. From day one, we’ll give you clear, practical advice tailored to your situation.
Provide your details to start your eligibility check. You’ll answer a few brief questions next so we can confirm whether your enquiry meets the criteria for a potential claim.
You do not need legal representation to make a financial services claim. You can complain yourself at no cost and under FCA rules, the financial services provider must provide a response. If you feel this is unsatisfactory, you can complain to the statutory redress bodies, the FOS and FSCS who can award you compensation. This is a free service.
The information appearing within this website does not constitute legal advice and is provided for general information purposes only. No warranty, whether express or implied, is given in relation to such material, and we do not accept any liability for reliance on it.
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