Authorised push payment (APP) scams
Reading time 5 minutes
At a glance:
An Authorised Push Payment scam (APP) scam is where a fraudster tricks someone into sending money to them.
The person targeted by the scam authorised the payment and pushes it from their account.
Scams like romance scams, investment scams and many others are types of APP scam.
How does an authorised push payment (APP) scam work?
APP stands for Authorised Push Payment. This means that the person sends the money themselves: they authorise the payment and push it from their account.
Scammers use this method in many different scams. It’s not one single scam, it’s the way that criminals get people to send them money.
They often pretend to be someone you trust, like a friend, a business or even the police. They might say there’s a problem or make you feel rushed or worried, so you send the money quickly.
This is different from other kinds of theft because the person gives permission for the payment, even though they’ve been lied to.
How APP scams can affect people
Sometimes people who’ve experienced an APP scam can find it difficult to report. They sent the money themselves, so they might feel embarrassed or worry that they should have spotted the signs.
Scammers work to make things seem real. They use pressure, lies and pretend to be people you trust. They spend a lot of time on making their stories convincing so if you are targeted by a scam you shouldn’t be blamed for believing it.
Understanding how these scams work can help you spot the signs, protect yourself and support others too.
Many of the types of scam that you may hear about are different forms of APP scam. Here are some examples:
Investment scams
Fraudsters convince targets to transfer money for fake investments. They promise high returns, often using fake websites or social media profiles to appear real. This can sometimes be investing in cryptocurrencies.
Impersonation scams
Fraudsters pretend to be people you would trust, like bank staff or government officials. They persuade targets to transfer money, claiming it's for urgent or official purposes. They could also impersonate someone you know, asking for money.
Purchase scams
Fraudsters advertise goods or services that don't exist. Targets are encouraged to make payments upfront, but the promised items are never delivered.
Romance scams
Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites or social media to build a relationship with the target. Once they have built trust, they ask their target for money, sometimes to cover unexpected costs or for fake investments.
For information about other types of APP scams, go to our fraud and scams page.
Protections around authorised push payment scams
New rules came in on 7 October 2024 to change how account providers deal with APP scams.
These new rules mean that customers aren’t left out of pocket after an APP scam.
What you need to know about the rules
Understanding the rules can help you know what might happen if you’ve lost money in an APP scam.
Here are the key points:
If you’ve made a Faster Payment or CHAPS payment to another account in the UK and later find out it was part of a scam, you might be repaid.
You need to report the scam within 13 months of the last payment made as part of it.
The maximum amount that can be paid back is £85,000.
Protecting yourself against push payment scams
If you’ve experienced an APP scam, there are a few things your account provider will look at when deciding if you can be repaid.
These steps show how you’ve taken care and worked with your account provider since.
Here’s what matters:
Pay attention to warnings – if your provider gives a warning about a possible scam, take time to understand and think about it.
Tell your provider at once – Let them know as soon as you think something might be wrong.
Share what you know – If your provider asks for details about what happened, give them the information you have.
Make a police report – you should report the scam to the police, or give your provider permission to do it.
Each situation is looked at on its own, and your personal circumstances are considered.
When repayment might not happen
There are some situations where you might not be repaid after an APP scam. This list doesn’t cover everything, and your account provider will look at each case on its own.
You may not be repaid if:
You carried out fraud yourself.
You didn’t take enough care to protect yourself from scams.
The payment was made before 7 October 2024, when the new rules started.
The payment was sent to or from an account outside the UK.
How to spot an APP scam
Hannah Bingle, our Financial Crime Awareness Specialist, explains how to spot Push Payment Scams:
“The common element is that the person targeted is persuaded to send money from their account to somewhere the criminal tells them.
Often the story that the person is told will create a strong emotional response, and will have an urgency that means the person targeted is hurried into acting.
If you find yourself being enticed to send money in a rush, this could indicate you’re being targeted by a scam. Take your time to step back from the situation, look at the detail and do your research.
Experiencing a scam can have emotional impacts, which can add to the difficulty of picking up the pieces afterwards. Staying vigilant and informed can help protect both your wellbeing and your finances.”
The content on this page is for reference. It is not financial advice. For help with money issues, try MoneyHelper.
