When a bank transfer was made to a scammer, can the money be recalled?
Banks can attempt to recall a fraudulent transfer, and recalls sometimes succeed if the scammer's receiving account still holds the funds — speed is critical, as scammers typically move money within hours.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
When you report a fraudulent bank transfer immediately, your bank can contact the receiving bank to request a recall of the funds. This process is called a Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) recall in the UK. However, success depends entirely on whether the receiving account still holds the money — fraudsters typically drain receiving accounts very quickly into further mule accounts or convert to cash or cryptocurrency.
Act within the hour if possible. Call your bank's fraud line immediately, not their general number. Request they place an urgent payment recall and log it as a fraud-related transaction. Obtain a reference number for the recall request.
Under UK Faster Payments APP fraud rules, banks are also required to use 'Confirmation of Payee' to help prevent fraudulent transfers to accounts that do not match the intended recipient's name. If Confirmation of Payee was not offered or was overridden by the bank, this may be a ground for reimbursement even if the recall fails.
This is general information. Recall success rates vary and are not guaranteed. Your specific rights and recovery options also depend on the type of payment made and your bank's policies.
Common red flags
- You made a transfer to new bank details supplied via email without phone verification
- The account name did not match when you checked Confirmation of Payee but you proceeded anyway
- You are now unable to reach the recipient you believed you were paying
- The payment was to an account you had not used before for a large sum
What to do now
- Call your bank's fraud line immediately — minutes matter
- Request an urgent payment recall and obtain a reference number
- Report to Action Fraud and provide the receiving account details
- If the recall fails, make a formal APP fraud reimbursement claim
- Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if the bank refuses reimbursement without valid reason
- Preserve all communications that induced you to make the transfer
Frequently asked questions
What is Confirmation of Payee and should I always use it?
Confirmation of Payee is a UK service that checks whether the name you enter matches the account details you are sending to. It helps prevent misdirected payments and can flag when you are paying an unexpected account. If CoP warns you of a name mismatch, investigate before proceeding — do not simply override the warning.
How quickly do scammers move funds from a receiving account?
Very quickly — often within minutes to a few hours through a layered network of mule accounts. This is why reporting within minutes of discovering the fraud gives the best chance of recall. After 24 hours, the money has typically been dispersed across multiple accounts or converted to untraceable assets.