Are you being targeted by Authorised Push Payment scammers?
Online criminals are always looking for ways to trick you. A common scam is when a criminal calls an individual pretending to be from their bank, or another trusted organisation, asking them to transfer some money.
This type of scam is known as Authorised Push Payment, or APP. They work by tricking individuals into transferring cash to criminals’ accounts. Because the customer transfers the money themselves, the transfer is ‘authorised’. This makes it very difficult to recover the money, which is often immediately transferred elsewhere.
Please remember that:
• We would never call you and ask you to move money.
• When we do call you, we call from our registered number and not an unknown number or mobile.
• If you are unsure that you are talking to us, hang up and call us to double check: 0800 408 6407 or, if calling from outside the UK, 0044 129 889 0137. We will understand completely.
• Never give out any codes that are sent to you by us.
How to spot an APP scam
• You are contacted by someone claiming to be an official, trusted body, such as our bank, the tax office, or the Police; or from a legitimate-sounding organisation such as an investment firm. You could be called, or contacted by email, SMS or social media.
• You may or may not be expecting to be contacted; sophisticated scammers are able to monitor their victims and may target people about to make large payments. For example, posing as a conveyancer and stealing money for a house deposit, or pretending to be your builder to steal money for renovations.
• In all cases, you are given a scenario in which you have to move your money quickly to a different bank account.
How to prevent an APP scam
• Never give your personal details to anyone you don’t know or take action under their direction.
• Never go through the authorisation process under the direction of a third party. Once you personally have authorised money to leave your account, it may be impossible to get it back.
• Refuse or ignore any requests to transfer money.
• If you do engage, contact the organisation the person claims to be from, to check they are legitimate. Do not use contact details provided by the potential scammer; only ever use official contact details from the website or documents in your possession.
• Don’t be drawn into conversation as it gives the criminal longer to manipulate you. Remember, this is their full-time job and they’re good at it.
How to report an APP scam
• Report the scam to Action Fraud, the reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
o Call 0300 123 2040 Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm
o Use the Action Fraud online reporting tool.
• Inform us immediately:
o Call us on 0800 408 6407
o Email us at webfraud@alrayanbank.co.uk
• Contact the Police on 101
