Finance glossary
Authorised Push Payment Fraud — APP fraud
Also known as: APP fraud, Bank transfer scam
In simple terms
APP fraud is when a scammer tricks you into sending money from your own account to them — for example by posing as your bank, a builder, or a seller. New rules mean many victims can now be reimbursed.
On this page
What does APP fraud mean?
Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud happens when you are deceived into authorising a payment from your account to one controlled by a criminal. Because you made the payment yourself, it used to be much harder to get money back than with unauthorised fraud.
Common types include impersonation scams, fake investments, and purchase scams.
How reimbursement works
Since 7 October 2024, mandatory reimbursement rules apply to most APP scams made via Faster Payments and CHAPS: the sending and receiving banks share the cost of reimbursing victims, up to a set maximum per claim, usually within five business days.
Reimbursement can be reduced or refused if you ignored specific warnings or acted with gross negligence, and the rules do not cover every situation.
How could this affect me?
If you are tricked into sending money, report it to your bank immediately — speed matters. Under the new rules you may well be reimbursed, but prevention is still far better than cure.
Be especially wary of anyone urging you to move money to a “safe account”, which is always a scam.
Things to watch out for
- No genuine bank asks you to move money to a “safe account”.
- Reimbursement can be reduced if you ignored clear warnings.
- Report to your bank immediately — speed affects the outcome.
Know your rights
- Since 7 October 2024, mandatory APP scam reimbursement rules apply to most Faster Payments/CHAPS scams, with banks sharing the cost up to a per-claim cap (Payment Systems Regulator).
- If your bank refuses or reduces reimbursement unfairly, you can complain and escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- Payment Systems Regulator, APP scams reimbursement requirement (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.