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uk Money & financial emergencies

What to do if…
you realise you sent money to a scammer and the transfer has completed

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Contact your bank or payment provider immediately using independently verified contact details. Tell them you were tricked into authorising a completed transfer, and ask them to record a scam claim, try to recover the money and explain which reimbursement rules apply.

Do not do these things

  • Do not send the scammer more money for a refund, release fee, tax, verification payment or any other reason.
  • Do not move your remaining money to a supposed safe account.
  • Do not use phone numbers, links or contact details supplied by the scammer.
  • Do not share passwords, PINs, security answers or one-time codes with anyone who contacts you.
  • Do not allow the scammer or an unsolicited caller remote access to your phone or computer.
  • Do not pay an unsolicited person or company that promises to recover the money.
  • Do not delete messages, receipts, payment confirmations or account details.
  • Do not delay contacting your provider while you collect every piece of evidence.

What to do now

  1. Contact the bank or payment provider that sent the transfer. Use its official app or website, the number on your card or statement, or another contact route you have independently verified.

  2. Say clearly that you authorised the transfer because a scammer deceived you. Ask the provider to record a scam claim, contact the receiving provider and attempt to recover any funds that remain.

  3. Ask which payment system was used and which reimbursement protections apply. UK Faster Payments and CHAPS transfers made because of a scam may fall under authorised push payment fraud reimbursement rules, while other payment types can have different protections.

  4. Give the provider the transfer amount, date, time, recipient details and payment reference. Briefly explain how you were deceived, ask what supporting information it needs and note your case or claim reference.

  5. Save messages, emails, adverts, website addresses, usernames, phone numbers, receipts and payment confirmations. Stop communicating with the scammer unless your bank or the police advises otherwise.

  6. Tell your provider immediately if you also shared banking details, passwords or security codes, or installed software that allowed remote access. Change affected passwords from a trusted device and follow the provider’s instructions for securing your account.

  7. Check your bank and card accounts for payments or new payees you do not recognise. Report any unfamiliar activity to the relevant provider immediately.

  8. Report the fraud to Report Fraud if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. If you live in Scotland, report it to Police Scotland online or by calling 101. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger or the crime is happening now.

What can wait

You do not need to prepare a perfect timeline before contacting your provider. A fuller account, additional screenshots and other supporting material can be organised after the urgent claim has been logged.

You also do not need to decide now whether to make a formal complaint or contact the Financial Ombudsman Service. Those steps can wait until your provider has considered the claim or if you are dissatisfied with its response.

Important reassurance

A transfer showing as completed does not make reporting it pointless. Recovery is not guaranteed, but your provider may still be able to seek the funds and assess whether you qualify for reimbursement.

Scammers deliberately use pressure, impersonation and trust to manipulate people. Being deceived does not make you foolish, and you do not need to understand every payment rule before asking your provider for help.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate steps after discovering a completed scam transfer. Later decisions about complaints, reimbursement disputes, debt, legal action or wider account security may require specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Reimbursement and recovery options depend on the payment date, payment system, provider and circumstances, so ask your bank or payment provider to assess your specific case.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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