Guides8 min readPublished 16 July 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Authorised Push Payment Fraud: What It Is and How to Get Your Money Back
Learn how APP fraud works, the scope of current reimbursement protections, and the practical first steps after a suspected scam payment.
APP fraud occurs when a person is persuaded to authorise a transfer to an account controlled by a fraudster. The transfer may look normal in the banking app, which is why an unexpected request to move money quickly should be paused and independently verified.
How APP Fraud Works
APP fraud takes many forms, but all involve manipulating the victim into believing they are making a legitimate payment. Common scenarios include:
- Invoice fraud: A fraudster intercepts email communication between a business and its supplier and substitutes their own bank details
- Impersonation fraud: Fraudster poses as a bank, HMRC, or the police and convinces the victim to transfer money for "safekeeping"
- Purchase fraud: Victim pays for goods or services that never arrive
- Romance fraud: Victim transfers money to someone they met online
- Investment fraud: Victim transfers money to a fake investment platform
The New Reimbursement Rules (October 2024)
From October 2024, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) requires banks to reimburse victims of APP fraud up to £85,000 in most cases. Both the sending and receiving bank share responsibility for reimbursement. There are limited exceptions — for example, if the victim was grossly negligent or acted fraudulently themselves.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum reimbursement | £85,000 per claim |
| Who pays | Sending and receiving bank split the cost |
| Timeframe to report | Within 13 months of the transaction |
| Exceptions | Gross negligence, first-party fraud |
| Disputes | Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service |
How to Make a Claim
Contact your bank immediately after discovering the fraud. Provide all evidence: transaction details, communications with the fraudster, and any other relevant information. If your bank rejects your claim, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at financial-ombudsman.org.uk — this service is free and independent.
Check before authorising a transfer
If a suspicious payment request includes a website, email address, or phone number, check that entity in ScammersCheck as one part of your decision. Do not delay contacting your bank because a checker result is pending, and do not treat a clean result as proof that the payee is genuine.
Source note: Reimbursement and complaint routes change, so consult the Payment Systems Regulator APP guidance and the Financial Ombudsman Service. Contact your bank immediately if a transfer was made.
Think you may have been a victim of APP fraud? Check the details with ScammersCheck and gather evidence for your bank claim.
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