I paid by bank transfer to a scammer — can I get my money back?
Contact your bank immediately and ask for a payment recall — the sooner you act, the better the chance of recovery. Report to the FTC and, if needed, your country's banking regulator.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
A direct bank transfer (ACH in the U.S., Faster Payments or BACS in the UK) moves money between accounts without a card network. Recovery rules differ slightly from wire transfers and credit cards, but the principle is the same: speed is critical.
In the U.S., ACH transactions can take one to two business days to settle, and there is a brief window during which your bank can recall or return the payment. Call your bank's fraud line as soon as possible and explain that you were deceived into authorizing the transfer. Use the phrase 'authorized push payment fraud' — regulators in many countries now require banks to treat this category more seriously.
In the UK, the Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam reimbursement scheme (under the Payment Systems Regulator) requires most banks to reimburse victims of APP fraud unless the victim acted with gross negligence. If you are in the UK, contact your bank, then raise a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service if the bank refuses. UK victims should also report to Action Fraud.
In Australia, report to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch, and contact your bank about the ePayments Code. Regardless of country, document everything: screenshots of any website or messages that convinced you to pay, the account details you sent to, and the exact date and time.
Common red flags
- Online marketplace seller requests bank transfer instead of a secure payment platform
- Rental property requires a bank transfer deposit before you view the property
- Fake invoice sent to your business with bank details changed from a known supplier
- Caller claiming to be HMRC, ATO, or IRS demanding immediate bank transfer
- Job offer requiring a bank transfer to 'set up your equipment fund'
- Investment platform that only accepts direct bank transfers
What to do now
- Call your bank's fraud line immediately — ask for a payment recall or reversal
- Mention 'authorized push payment fraud' to trigger the relevant policy review
- Report to the FTC (US), Action Fraud (UK), or Scamwatch (AU) as applicable
- Keep all evidence: screenshots, emails, the bank account details you paid to
- If in the UK, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if your bank refuses to reimburse
- Visit /recovery for a step-by-step guide
Frequently asked questions
What is 'authorized push payment fraud' (APP fraud)?
APP fraud occurs when a scammer tricks you into willingly authorizing a bank transfer to them. Because you technically 'authorized' the payment, banks historically refused to reimburse. Regulators now increasingly require banks to share responsibility and reimburse victims.
Is a bank transfer safer than a wire transfer?
For domestic payments the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but ACH (bank-to-bank) transfers in the U.S. have slightly longer settlement windows that can help with recalls. Wire transfers are faster and harder to recall.