Can a bank ask me to move money to a 'safe account'?
No. A genuine bank will never ask you to move your money to a 'safe account'. This is one of the clearest signs of a scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
The 'safe account' tactic is used by scammers impersonating your bank, the police, or fraud investigators. They claim your money is at risk and that moving it to a new 'safe' account will protect it — but that account belongs to the scammer. Real banks protect your money within your existing account, and never instruct you to transfer it elsewhere or to keep the matter secret.
Common red flags
- Being told to move money to a 'safe' or 'holding' account
- Pressure, urgency, and secrecy
- Instruction not to tell branch staff or family
- Caller ID that looks like your bank (it can be spoofed)
What to do now
- Do not move any money
- Hang up and call your bank using the number on your card (or 159 in the UK)
- Report it to your national fraud service
Frequently asked questions
What if they already know my account details?
Scammers often have some of your details from breaches, which they use to sound convincing. Knowing your details doesn't make them genuine — a real bank still won't ask you to move money to a 'safe account'.