Is a 'you have a refund waiting' message a scam?
Often yes. Unexpected refund notifications are used to trick you into sharing bank details or clicking a link to a phishing page.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Refund scam messages claim that a government agency, utility, retailer, or subscription service owes you money and that you must click a link or call a number to claim it. The link leads to a page designed to harvest your bank or card details, or the call connects to scammers who ask for your account number to 'process the refund'.
Legitimate refunds from retailers or utilities are typically processed automatically back to the original payment method, or you are directed to a clearly identified claims process on the company's official website. If you believe a refund is genuinely owed, navigate to the organisation's website independently rather than using any link or number in the message.
Common red flags
- Unexpected message claiming you are owed money
- Link to claim the refund goes to an unfamiliar domain
- Phone number provided to 'process' the refund
- Request for your bank sort code, account number, or card details
- Urgency — 'claim within 48 hours or the refund will expire'
- The amount is unusually precise to seem credible
What to do now
- Do not click any link or call any number in the message
- If you think a refund may be genuine, go to the organisation's official website directly
- Check your bank statements to see whether any unusual charges from that organisation appear
- Report the message to your email provider or forward SMS to 7726
- If you already entered card details, call your bank immediately
Frequently asked questions
The message mentions a real company I use. Could it be genuine?
Possibly, but scammers routinely use the names of real companies. Verify by going to the company's website directly — not via any link in the message.
Why would a scammer ask for my details to send me money?
The promise of receiving money is used to lower your guard. In reality, your details are being collected for fraud, not to send you a refund.