Yes, UK banks sometimes refund money lost to scams, but it depends on the circumstances.
For authorised push payment (APP) scams—where you were tricked into sending money yourself—many victims now have stronger protections. Since 2024, a mandatory reimbursement scheme has applied to many UK bank transfers made through the Faster Payments system. In many cases, banks must reimburse victims of eligible scams unless the customer acted with gross negligence or the claim falls outside the scheme’s rules.
For unauthorised transactions—where someone accessed your account or card without permission—banks generally must refund the money unless they can show you acted fraudulently or were seriously careless.
If you have been scammed:
- Contact your bank immediately.
- Report the scam to the police and to Action Fraud.
- Keep records of messages, emails, and payments related to the scam.
The faster you report the scam, the better the chances of recovering or being reimbursed for the money.
