Scam type
Bank Transfer Scams
Bank transfer fraud — often called authorised push-payment (APP) fraud — happens when someone is deceived into sending money from their own account to an account controlled by a criminal. The payment itself is genuine and authorised, which is exactly what makes these cases difficult: the deception lies in who the recipient really is or why the payment was requested.
If this has happened to you, the two things that matter most are speed and records. Contact your bank straight away so a recall can be attempted, then preserve every message and document. ChargeBack can help you organise that evidence, map where the money went, and prepare a clear account of the deception for your bank, the police, or an ombudsman.
The pattern
How this scam typically works
The pretext
The fraudster creates a believable reason to pay: a supplier's invoice, a house deposit, an urgent bill, or a call claiming to be from your bank's fraud team warning that your account is at risk.
The impersonation
Emails, phone numbers, and letterheads are spoofed to look like a genuine business, solicitor, or bank. In invoice redirection cases, a real supplier's email thread is hijacked and 'updated' bank details are sent mid-conversation.
The authorised payment
You are guided to make the transfer yourself — sometimes to a so-called 'safe account' to protect your money. Because you approve the payment, it passes your bank's normal security checks.
The dispersal
Once received, funds are typically moved quickly through further accounts or converted to cash or crypto. This is why the first hours and days after the payment matter so much for any recall attempt.
Warning signs
- A caller claiming to be your bank asks you to move money to a 'safe account' — real banks never do this
- A supplier or solicitor suddenly announces new bank details, especially mid-transaction
- Pressure to pay immediately, keep the transfer secret, or mislead your bank about the reason for it
- Payee names that do not match the business you believe you are paying
- Contact details in the payment request differ subtly from previous genuine correspondence
- Requests to split a payment across several accounts or send a 'test' transfer first
What to do right now
- Call your bank's fraud line immediately and ask them to attempt a recall and to alert the receiving bank — every hour counts before funds are moved on.
- If a business relationship was involved, contact the genuine supplier or firm through a number you already trust to confirm what happened.
- Report the fraud to your local police or national fraud-reporting service and keep the reference number.
- Preserve all evidence: the payment instructions you received, emails, call logs, text messages, and your own bank confirmations.
- Be cautious of anyone who then contacts you offering recovery for an upfront fee — follow-up scams frequently target the same victims.
Evidence worth collecting
- Bank statements showing the transfer, with dates, amounts, and payee details
- The invoice, email, or message that contained the account details you paid
- Earlier genuine correspondence, for comparison with the fraudulent version
- Phone numbers, email addresses, and websites the fraudster used
- Notes of any calls: when they happened, what was said, and who claimed to be speaking
- Confirmation-of-payee warnings or name-mismatch alerts your bank displayed, if any
- Reference numbers from your bank, the police, or any fraud-reporting service
How ChargeBack can help
- Build a precise timeline of the deception, from first contact to final transfer
- Organise your messages, invoices, and statements into a structured case file
- Document the payment flow so recall requests and complaints reference the right accounts and dates
- Identify which channels may apply to your case — recall, formal complaint, ombudsman, or police report
- Prepare a clear written account of how you were deceived, which is central to how banks assess APP fraud claims
We assess and document; banks, payment providers, and authorities decide outcomes. No recovery can be guaranteed by anyone.
Possible channels
Dispute and reporting channels that may apply
Which channels are realistic depends on how you paid, where the money went, and how quickly the incident was reported.
Bank recall request
Your bank can ask the receiving bank to freeze and return the funds. Recalls are not guaranteed and depend heavily on how quickly you report, because criminals move money on fast.
APP reimbursement schemes
Some countries operate reimbursement schemes or codes covering authorised push-payment fraud. Eligibility rules, time limits, and outcomes vary, so ask your bank what applies where you live.
Police and fraud-reporting services
An official report creates the record banks and schemes usually require, and receiving-account details can help authorities link your case to others.
Ombudsman or banking dispute body
If you believe your bank handled the payment or your fraud claim poorly, a formal complaint followed by an ombudsman referral may be open to you in your country.
FAQ
Common questions
Start here
Start with a free, confidential consultation.
Tell us what happened. We will review the information and explain whether our services are relevant — and, if you choose to proceed, exactly what any investigation would involve and cost.