Authorised Push Payment (APP) Fraud
A scam where a victim is manipulated into voluntarily sending money to a fraudster's account, making the payment appear legitimate to the bank.
Also known as: APP fraud, push payment fraud, authorised push payment scam
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud occurs when a criminal tricks a person into deliberately initiating a bank transfer to an account controlled by the scammer. Because the victim themselves authorises the payment, the transaction looks indistinguishable from a genuine transfer to the bank's fraud systems.
Common scenarios include fake invoice fraud (replacing a supplier's bank details), romance scams, impersonation of police or bank staff, and investment fraud. The scammer builds enough trust or urgency that the victim willingly moves funds — sometimes their life savings.
Consumers should verify payee details through a trusted, independently sourced phone number before any large transfer. Many banks now participate in reimbursement schemes for APP victims, though eligibility conditions vary. Always use Confirmation of Payee checks when your bank offers them.
Examples
- A homebuyer receives an email, apparently from their solicitor, with updated bank details for the completion payment. The details belong to a fraudster.
- A victim is called by someone claiming to be a police officer, told their account is compromised, and instructed to move funds to a 'safe account'.