Bank and Police Impersonation Scams in the United Kingdom
How callers posing as UK bank fraud teams and police officers manipulate victims into authorising transfers — with the 159 hotline, APP fraud reimbursement rules, and Action Fraud reporting.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Bank and police impersonation scams — where callers pose as a bank's fraud team or a police officer to persuade victims to move money — are among the highest-loss scam categories in the UK. The fraud exploits the fact that a genuine bank fraud call and a scam call are externally similar: both use urgency, both reference account security, and both may appear to originate from the bank's real number through caller ID spoofing.
The UK has specific consumer protections and reporting routes that are highly relevant to this fraud type, including the 159 Stop Scams UK hotline, the Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud mandatory reimbursement rules, and Action Fraud. This guide covers the fraud mechanics, the UK-specific countermeasures, and the reimbursement framework.
How this scam works on the United Kingdom
The call typically arrives with the caller ID displaying a genuine UK bank number — NatWest, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, or another recognised institution. The caller claims to be from the bank's fraud team and says suspicious transactions have been detected. Urgency is established quickly: the account is at risk, action must be taken immediately.
The 'solution' offered is always some version of moving funds to safety: transferring to a new 'secure account' set up in the victim's name, or in some variants, withdrawing cash and handing it to a police officer or bank courier who will arrive at the home. Both instructions result in the victim's money reaching the scammer.
A second call sometimes comes from an apparent 'police officer' — often claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police or a regional force — who reinforces the urgency and may reference a specific crime investigation that requires the victim's cooperation. The combination of bank and police authority creates a powerful compliance trigger.
UK banks — all major high street banks — have publicly stated they will never ask customers to move money to a safe account or send a representative to collect cash. The 159 service exists specifically to allow people to hang up on suspicious calls and reconnect to their bank's genuine fraud team.
Common red flags
- An unexpected call from what appears to be your bank's number claiming your account is compromised
- Instruction to transfer funds to a 'safe account' or 'temporary holding account'
- A follow-up call from an apparent police officer urging immediate action
- Instruction not to tell branch staff, family, or anyone else about the transfer
- A bank 'courier' or 'security officer' who offers to come to your home to collect cash or a card
- Caller ID showing your bank's real number — this can be spoofed and is not proof of identity
How to protect yourself
- Hang up on any unexpected call asking you to move money or hand over cash — then dial 159 to reach your bank's real fraud team
- No UK bank will ever ask you to move money to a 'safe account' — this instruction is always fraud
- Use a different phone or wait several minutes before calling your bank back — the scammer may remain on your line
- Tell a family member or trusted person before doing anything a caller says is urgent — the instruction to keep it secret is itself a warning sign
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to reduce unsolicited calls, though this does not stop spoofed bank calls
How to report it
- Dial 159 to speak directly to your bank's fraud team — this service is free and connects you to genuine bank fraud staff
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
- If a transfer was made, contact your bank and raise an APP fraud claim — from October 2024, mandatory PSR reimbursement rules apply
- Report the spoofed number to Ofcom at ofcom.org.uk or to your bank, which can feed it into shared fraud number databases
Frequently asked questions
What is the 159 service and how does it work?
159 is the Stop Scams UK hotline. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from your bank, hang up and dial 159 from any phone. You will be connected to your bank's genuine fraud team. All major UK banks participate. The service is free and available around the clock. It exists specifically to allow people to verify suspicious calls without using a number given by the caller.
Can I get my money back if I was deceived into a bank transfer by a fake bank caller?
From October 2024, UK Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) mandatory rules require banks to reimburse most APP fraud victims up to £85,000, where the victim was deceived. Contact your bank's fraud team, document everything, and explicitly raise an APP fraud reimbursement claim. If your bank declines, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service at financial-ombudsman.org.uk.