This is a general education guide, not a recent incident report. It has no invented publication date.
01How it commonly works
Criminals pose as your bank's fraud team, a supplier, a solicitor or a relative and persuade you to transfer money, sometimes to a so-called safe account. Changed invoice details are a common form.
02Warning signs
- A caller asking you to move money to a safe account
- Changed bank details on an invoice
- Pressure to act before you can check
- Being told to lie to your bank about the payment
03Immediate protective actions
- 1Call your bank immediately using an official number
- 2Ask the bank to contact the receiving bank about recall
- 3Do not follow instructions from the caller
- 4Verify any changed payment details by a separate channel
Prevention tips
- Confirm changed payment instructions through an independently known phone number.
- Check recipient details before authorizing a transfer; pause if the request is urgent or secret.
- Use your bank’s available payee checks and account security controls.
04Evidence to preserve
- Payment confirmation and the receiving account details
- Call times and numbers
- The emails or invoices you received
- Notes of what was said
05Relevant reporting agencies
Report to your bank first, then to your national fraud reporting agency.
Use the maintained reporting directory below. No separate source-verification date is claimed for this general guide.
Official channels for
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When to seek qualified legal advice
Advice can help if your bank declines reimbursement, particularly where reimbursement schemes or ombudsman routes exist in your country.