Bank transfer scams: when you can get your money back (APP fraud rules)
Published · 3 min read · Figures checked . UK rules and rates change, so check the official sources below before you act.
Rules from the Payment Systems Regulator mean banks usually reimburse people tricked into sending a bank transfer. This guide explains who is covered, the £85,000 limit, the time limits and what to do if a claim is refused.
Who this guide is for
This guide is general information for people in the UK, and for microenterprises and charities, who sent a bank transfer after being tricked by a scammer. It is not advice for your own case. It does not cover stolen cards or unauthorised payments, which follow different rules. Figures were checked on the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) website on 14 October 2026.
What is an APP scam?
APP stands for authorised push payment. It means you made the payment yourself, but you were deceived into doing it. Examples include a fake invoice, a call from someone pretending to be your bank, or a scam about buying goods that never exist but where the seller meant to steal the money.
What the rules cover
The PSR says its reimbursement rules apply to payments made on or after 7 October 2024. They cover UK bank transfers sent over Faster Payments or CHAPS. Most high street banks, building societies, e-money firms and smaller payment firms must follow them. The firm that holds the scammer's account is also covered by the rules.
- Covered: individuals, microenterprises and charities who sent a Faster Payments or CHAPS transfer.
- Not covered by these rules: card, cash and cheque payments, which have separate protections.
- Not covered: transfers involving credit unions, municipal banks or national savings banks.
- Not covered: unauthorised fraud, such as someone using your stolen card.
- Not covered: civil disputes, such as goods that arrive faulty or late where the seller did not mean to defraud you.
How the timing works
The PSR says reimbursement is expected within 5 business days of a claim. A firm can pause that clock while it gathers more information, but it must reach an outcome within 35 business days. The PSR advises reporting to your bank as soon as possible, and within 13 months of the payment.
When a claim can be refused
The PSR names two main exceptions: where the customer was involved in the fraud, and where the customer was grossly negligent. The gross negligence exception does not apply to vulnerable customers. Gross negligence is a higher bar than simply making a mistake.
The £85,000 limit is the amount firms must reimburse. The PSR says it covers over 99% of claims. Firms may choose to pay more. For losses above that amount, the PSR says a complaint can be taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service, whose compensation limit is £430,000.
What many people do after a scam
- Contact the bank or payment firm straight away.
- Report the scam to Report Fraud, the UK national reporting centre, and to the police on 101.
- Keep messages, receipts and a note of dates and amounts, because they may be needed for a claim or a later complaint.
If your claim is refused
It can be worth asking the bank to explain its decision in writing. If you are unhappy with the answer, the Financial Ombudsman Service is free to use. It can look at how your bank handled the case and can tell a firm to put you back in the position you would have been in, such as repaying lost money. The Ombudsman does not investigate the crime itself, which is a matter for the police.
If you are struggling after losing money, free, impartial help is available from MoneyHelper and Citizens Advice. Being scammed is common and is not a sign of carelessness.
Check before you act
Rules, limits and time limits can change. It is worth confirming the current position on the official pages linked below before relying on anything here.
Sources
For information only. See our disclaimer and editorial standards. Spotted an error? Tell us.
