How to Get Your Money Back After Being Scammed

Your complete guide to recovering from fraud and scams in the UK, including APP fraud reimbursement, bank liability, and civil recovery options.

Quick Answer

Banks must reimburse APP (Authorised Push Payment) fraud up to £415,000 under the APP Fraud Reimbursement Rules 2024, unless you were grossly negligent. Report to your bank immediately (within 30 days for best protection). Also report to Action Fraud (free) and the police for criminal investigation. Pursue claims at the Financial Ombudsman if your bank refuses reimbursement.

How to Recover from Scams

1

Report Immediately

Contact your bank and fraud team within 24 hours. Report to Action Fraud online (or call 0300 123 2040) and your local police. Provide transaction details, the fraudster's account, and evidence of the scam (emails, messages, websites). Time is critical; banks may halt transfers.

2

Claim Reimbursement from Bank

Submit a formal claim under APP Fraud Reimbursement Rules within 13 months. Your bank must investigate and decide within 35 days. Provide evidence: proof of scam, communication with fraudster, why you were deceived. Bank must reimburse unless you were grossly negligent.

3

Escalate to Ombudsman or Civil Claim

If bank refuses reimbursement, complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (free). For other fraud types or additional losses, pursue civil claims against the scammer if you have their identity. Criminal prosecution is pursued by police/CPS separately.

What the Law Says

Fraud Act 2006
Criminalises fraud by false representation, failing to disclose information, or abuse of position. Prosecutions can result in up to 10 years imprisonment and unlimited fines. Victims can pursue civil claims for damages separately from criminal prosecution.
Payment Services Regulations 2017, Reg 96–97
Establishes bank liability for unauthorised transactions. Banks must refund unauthorised payments unless the customer was negligent or fraud. APP fraud (where customer is tricked into authorising payment) falls under different rules: the APP Fraud Reimbursement Rules.
APP Fraud Reimbursement Rules 2024 & FCA Guidance
Banks must reimburse customers for APP fraud up to £415,000 per incident, unless the customer was "grossly negligent" (unreasonably disregarded warnings or obvious red flags). Reimbursement must be decided within 35 days of claim. This is a statutory requirement for all FCA-regulated payment service providers.

Common Scam Recovery Situations

Investment Scam

You invested in cryptocurrency, forex, or shares via a fraudulent website. Report to Action Fraud and your bank immediately. Investment scams often have low recovery rates, but if your bank delayed reporting or failed safeguarding, they may be liable for losses.

Romance Scam

A fake romantic interest tricked you into sending money. These are APP frauds; claim reimbursement from your bank. You're unlikely to be deemed "grossly negligent" if you can show the manipulation (documented conversations). Financial Ombudsman often awards reimbursement.

CEO Fraud (Business Impersonation)

A scammer impersonated your boss and requested urgent money transfer. Report to police and your company's bank immediately. If you sent via bank transfer (not authorised by CEO but authorised by you as the user), it's APP fraud; your bank should reimburse.

Cryptocurrency Scam with Identity Verification

You sent ID documents and money to a fake crypto exchange. Pursue civil claims against the fraudster and report to Action Fraud. If your bank failed to warn you about crypto risks or processed a suspicious transfer, claim against the bank for negligence.

Bank Impersonation / Phishing

Fake emails or calls pretending to be your bank tricked you into revealing account details or confirming transfers. If unauthorized transactions follow, they're not APP fraud (you didn't authorize them); your bank must refund under Regulation 96 (unauthorised transactions).

Overpayment Scam

You're asked to refund an overpayment or pay fees upfront. If you send money to a fake account or scammer's account, claim reimbursement from your bank as APP fraud (you authorised the payment based on false pretences).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is APP fraud and who pays for it? +
APP (Authorised Push Payment) fraud occurs when you're tricked into authorising a payment to the scammer's account (e.g., investment scam, romance fraud, CEO fraud). Your bank must reimburse you under the APP Fraud Reimbursement Rules 2024 unless you were "grossly negligent." Reimbursement covers up to £415,000 per incident. The bank bears the loss, not you.
What counts as "gross negligence" and will disqualify me from reimbursement? +
Gross negligence means you "unreasonably disregarded obvious red flags" — e.g., ignoring explicit bank warnings, sending money to a known fraudster after being warned, or failing to perform basic checks on a company. Simply being deceived (even by a convincing scam) is not gross negligence. The FCA emphasizes that scammers are highly skilled and most victims shouldn't be penalised. Banks must prove gross negligence; mere negligence isn't enough.
How long do I have to report APP fraud to my bank? +
Report immediately (within 24 hours ideally) to your bank's fraud team. Claims for reimbursement must be submitted within 13 months of the fraud. The bank then has 35 days to investigate and decide whether to reimburse. Reporting quickly improves chances: the bank may halt transfers or pursue the scammer's bank to freeze/recover funds.
What should I include in my claim for APP fraud reimbursement? +
Submit: (1) proof of the scam (emails, fake websites, screenshots, chat logs), (2) timeline of communications, (3) evidence of how you were deceived, (4) bank statements showing the transfer, (5) Action Fraud report number, and (6) details of attempts to recover money. Show that you took reasonable care (e.g., you asked questions, checked the company website, tried to verify) to counter any "negligence" claim by the bank.
Can I claim if I transferred money to my own account at another bank? +
If a scammer convinced you to move money to a "new account" claiming it was yours, that's still APP fraud — you authorised the payment based on deception. Your first bank should reimburse. The second bank (where funds landed) also has a duty to prevent scam transfers; both banks may share liability. Report to both banks immediately so they can attempt recovery.
What if my bank refuses to reimburse me for APP fraud? +
Request a written explanation of their decision. If you disagree (especially if they claim gross negligence), complain to the bank's Complaints Department. After 8 weeks or if the bank rejects your complaint, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (free). The Ombudsman reviews whether the bank followed APP Fraud Rules and can order reimbursement plus compensation (up to £150,000). Most Ombudsman decisions favour customers unless gross negligence is clear.

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