Will your bank repay an authorised push payment scam?
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Quick answer: Since 7 October 2024 most victims of UK Faster Payments or CHAPS authorised push payment scams have a right to reimbursement from their payment firm, normally within five business days, up to £85,000 per claim. The sending and receiving firms split the cost 50/50. Gross negligence, international payments and card payments sit outside this scheme.
Authorised push payment fraud is when a criminal tricks you into sending money yourself. Since 7 October 2024 the Payment Systems Regulator's reimbursement rules give most Faster Payments and CHAPS victims in the UK a legal route back — not a discretionary goodwill payment. The cap is £85,000 per claim, in line with FSCS deposit cover.
Skip this if: Skip this if the payment was unauthorised (stolen card or hacked login) — that is already covered under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. Card purchases use chargeback and Section 75, not this APP scheme. This page is not a claims service.
Last reviewed:
Read the full banking & current accounts guide →Primary source: www.psr.org.uk/our-work/app-scams
What counts as APP fraud?
APP fraud happens when a criminal tricks you into authorising a payment from your own bank account to one they control. Common examples are 'safe account' impersonation scams (someone pretending to be your bank or the police), invoice redirection, romance scams, purchase scams and investment scams.
It is different from unauthorised fraud, where someone makes a payment without you authorising it (for example a stolen card or hacked account). Unauthorised fraud is already protected under the Payment Services Regulations 2017.
How quickly must the bank repay you?
From 7 October 2024 banks and other payment firms must reimburse victims of APP fraud sent via Faster Payments or CHAPS, where the receiving account is in the UK. The cap per claim is £85,000.
The cost is split 50/50 between the sending firm and the receiving firm. Firms must normally reimburse within 5 business days. If they reasonably need more information they can pause for up to 35 business days while they investigate. An optional £100 excess can be applied, waived for vulnerable customers.
| Rule | What it means | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Cap | £85,000 per claim | Larger losses above the cap are not automatically repaid under this scheme |
| Speed | Usually 5 business days | Complex cases can pause up to 35 business days |
| Who pays | Sending and receiving firms split 50/50 | You claim via your own bank, not the criminal's bank directly |
| Excess | Optional £100, waived if you are vulnerable | Ask the firm to confirm whether they apply it |
When might you not be reimbursed?
The 'consumer standard of caution' allows a firm to refuse or reduce reimbursement if you acted with gross negligence — for example ignoring a specific warning from your bank, or providing false information during the investigation.
Reimbursement does not apply to international payments, payments to your own accounts, or transactions that are not Faster Payments or CHAPS (for example card payments — those have chargeback and Section 75). There is no protection if the original transaction was unlawful.
Common questions
How quickly should I report a suspected scam?
Immediately — call your bank using the number on the back of your card. The earlier you report, the more chance of recovering funds and the smoother the reimbursement claim.
What if my bank refuses to reimburse?
Ask for the decision in writing, then complain via your bank's official complaints process. If you are not satisfied you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free, up to six months after the bank's final response.
Does the scheme cover business accounts?
It covers individuals, charities and micro-enterprises (broadly, businesses with fewer than 10 employees and turnover or balance sheet under €2m). Larger businesses are not covered.