APP fraud (authorised push payment)
A scam in which you are tricked into voluntarily sending money by bank transfer to an account controlled by a fraudster, making recovery difficult because the payment was technically authorised.
Also known as: authorised push payment fraud, bank transfer scam, safe account scam
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Authorised push payment (APP) fraud occurs when a victim is deceived into initiating a bank transfer to an account the fraudster controls. Because the account holder themselves approved the payment — even though they were manipulated into doing so — the transaction is classed as 'authorised', historically making it harder to recover than unauthorised fraud.
Common APP fraud types include: impersonation of a bank's fraud team instructing you to move funds to a 'safe account'; fake invoice fraud where a supplier's bank details are swapped; and romance or investment scams where transfers are willingly sent to what the victim believes is a legitimate opportunity.
In the UK, mandatory APP fraud reimbursement rules (effective 2024) require most banks to reimburse victims in many cases. However, there are exceptions and caps, so prevention remains the best protection: always verify new payees by calling on a separately obtained number.