Scams in the UK change quickly as criminals adapt to how people communicate, shop, and make payments. Many of today’s cases involve authorised push payment (APP) fraud, impersonation scams, and investment or crypto scams.
This guide is provided by Consumer Rights Solicitors to help consumers recognise common scam patterns, understand why they work, and know what to do next. It is educational and does not assume you will recover money or succeed in any complaint.
A practical theme runs through all scam types: if something feels urgent, pause and verify independently. That single habit reduces risk across bank transfers, impersonation, investment, and crypto scams.
APP fraud and Bank Transfer Scams
Image by @CRSteam
APP fraud is one of the most common modern scam types linked to bank transfers. It often sits behind what people call “bank transfer scams”.
APP fraud usually refers to situations where a person is tricked into sending money to a fraudster. The payment is “authorised” because the customer approves it, but the customer has been deceived.
The Financial Ombudsman Service explains that these scams involve people being tricked into making a payment, including bank transfers, and that it can look at complaints about how firms responded.
What is authorised push payment?
An authorised push payment is a transfer a customer instructs their bank to make. In an APP scam, the instruction is genuine, but the destination is not. The deception may involve fake invoices, fake “safe accounts”, or impersonation.
This is why APP scams can feel confusing. Victims often believed they were doing the right thing at the time.
Common examples include:
- A caller claims to be your bank and tells you to move money to a “safe account”.
- A supplier’s invoice is intercepted and the bank details are changed.
- A fake investment firm pressures you to transfer money quickly to secure a “deal”.
These examples matter because banks and the Ombudsman often look at the full context: what you were told, what checks were available, and how quickly you reported the scam. [3][4][5][6][7][10][11]
UK consumer protection for APP scams has been strengthened. The Payment Systems Regulator explains APP fraud reimbursement protections and when they apply for in-scope payments.
However, reimbursement is not automatic in every case. The PSR’s guidance explains that limited exceptions can apply, including a “consumer standard of caution” concept in certain circumstances.
If you want deeper context, you can download the PSR’s APP scams report here [2].
Impersonation scams
Impersonation is a major driver behind many APP scams and investment scams. It is also one of the highest-volume scam search topics because it appears across calls, texts, emails, and social media.
Impersonation meaning
Impersonation generally means pretending to be someone else to deceive a victim. This may involve pretending to be a bank, the police, HMRC, a delivery company, or a well-known brand.
The goal is usually to gain trust quickly and create urgency.
Is impersonation a crime?
Impersonation can be part of criminal fraud behaviour. In the UK, these cases are often prosecuted under fraud offences such as false representation, depending on the facts.
This article does not provide legal advice, but the key consumer point is simple: if someone’s identity claim is central to the request, verify it independently before doing anything.
Brand impersonation
Brand impersonation includes fake customer support, fake delivery messages, and fake “account security” alerts. Many scams rely on convincing branding and familiar language.
Where a message urges immediate payment or asks you to click a link to “fix” something, treat it as a prompt to verify through official channels instead.
Website impersonation
Website impersonation often involves cloned sites that look real. They may use near-identical domain names and copy layouts to capture logins or payments.
The National Cyber Security Centre advises practical checks for phishing and suspicious websites, including cautious handling of links and checking addresses carefully.
Social media impersonation
Social media impersonation includes fake profiles pretending to be friends, public figures, or well-known organisations. These accounts may push investment opportunities, “giveaways”, or urgent requests for money.
Where money is involved, it is safer to verify using a different channel, such as a known phone number or official website. [6][7][8][9]
Investment scams UK
Image by @CRSteam
Investment scams remain one of the most damaging “current scams in the UK” because they combine persuasion with technical language. They often claim legitimacy by referencing regulation, well-known brands, or “insider” knowledge.
What is an investment scam?
An investment scam typically involves someone persuading you to put money into a product or platform that is misleading, unauthorised, or simply fictitious. The FCA’s consumer guidance warns that scams often use urgency, promises of high returns, and professional-looking branding.
A core risk is that people may invest without being able to verify who is behind the offer. The FCA provides tools specifically designed to help consumers check firms and avoid unauthorised operators.
How to spot an investment scam
Investment scams often follow recognisable patterns. A common tactic is creating pressure to act quickly, such as claiming an opportunity is limited or available for a short time. Scammers may also promise unusually high or consistent returns, which can appear attractive but do not reflect the normal risks and fluctuations of legitimate investments.
Other warning signs include reluctance to provide clear written information, requests to transfer money to accounts that do not match the company name, or claims of regulation that cannot be verified.
The FCA’s Warning List and Firm Checker are practical verification tools. They are especially useful where a website looks convincing but the firm’s authorisation is unclear.
Investment scam compensation
Whether compensation is available depends on the circumstances, including whether the firm was regulated and what route applies. This is not automatic, and outcomes depend on evidence and eligibility.
Where a complaint concerns how a regulated firm handled fraud or scams, the Financial Ombudsman Service can consider complaints and looks at what is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.
For most consumers, checking authorisation and warning lists is a more reliable first step than relying on social media claims or “reviews”. [5][4][10][11][12][13]
Crypto scams and cryptocurrency scams UK
Crypto scams and cryptocurrency scams often borrow the language of investment and technology. They can also involve “recovery scams”, where criminals target victims a second time by offering to recover losses for a fee.
How do crypto scams work?
Crypto scams often involve fake trading platforms, impersonation of legitimate crypto businesses, or individuals posing as “account managers” who pressure victims to send additional payments. In some cases, victims are asked to share wallet access details or seed phrases, which can allow scammers to take control of their cryptocurrency.
Another common tactic is the use of professional-looking websites, social media advertising, and urgent messages to create credibility and pressure quick decisions. The FCA warns that these scams are often designed to appear legitimate even when the underlying platform or investment does not exist.
The FCA specifically warns that crypto scams frequently use social media advertising, urgency, and professional design to appear legitimate.
How to spot crypto scams
Key warning signs include unrealistic returns, pressure to pay quickly, and requests to share access credentials or seed phrases. Another major red flag is anyone claiming they can guarantee recovery of crypto losses.
The FCA’s guidance on crypto investment scams is designed for consumers and is a strong reference point for what to look for.
How to avoid crypto scams
Avoid clicking links from unsolicited messages. Verify firms independently. Treat claims of “regulated crypto” carefully and check the firm’s status where relevant.
If you’re considering any crypto-related investment, it is also sensible to slow the process down. Scams are harder to run when the victim takes time to verify.
How to report crypto scams
What to do if you’ve been targeted
When a scam is suspected, the first priority is to reduce further loss and preserve evidence.
Act quickly and preserve evidence
Keep screenshots, emails, payment instructions, phone numbers, and any platform communications. Evidence helps banks, platforms, and complaint bodies understand what happened.
Verify before you respond
If you receive a message claiming to be from a bank or brand, do not use the contact details in the message. Use official channels. The NCSC provides practical guidance on phishing and suspicious messages.
For suspicious websites or emails, GOV.UK provides reporting routes for phishing and suspicious sites.
Report the scam
Use the national fraud reporting portal. Reporting helps build intelligence on scams and can support wider prevention work.
Consider formal complaints routes where relevant
Where a scam involves a financial firm’s handling of payments or warnings, a complaint may be relevant. The Financial Ombudsman Service explains the types of scam complaints it can consider and what it looks at.
Natural branded mention: If you need independent legal guidance, CR solicitors can review the facts and evidence on a case-by-case basis. This does not assume any outcome.
About CRS
Consumer Rights Solicitors (CRS) is a UK law firm that focuses on reviewing financial disputes and consumer-related issues, including situations where individuals believe they may have been misled or treated unfairly by financial institutions or service providers. The firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
FAQ
What is app fraud?
App fraud commonly refers to scams where someone is tricked into making a payment, often by bank transfer. In many UK cases this is an authorised push payment (APP) scam, where the victim authorises the transfer after being deceived.
What is authorised push payment?
An authorised push payment is a payment you instruct your bank to send. In an APP scam, you authorise the payment, but the fraudster has persuaded you to send it to the wrong account.
What is authorised push payment fraud?
Authorised push payment fraud is fraud where the victim is tricked into authorising a payment to a scammer. It can involve impersonation, invoice redirection, or fake investment opportunities.
What is an authorised push payment example?
Common examples include a “safe account” scam (a fraudster posing as your bank), an invoice where bank details have been changed, or being pressured to transfer money to secure an “investment”.
What is impersonation?
In scam terms, impersonation is when someone pretends to be a trusted person or organisation to deceive you such as a bank, the police, HMRC, a delivery firm, or a well-known brand.
Is impersonation a crime?
Impersonation can form part of criminal fraud behaviour. UK prosecutions often rely on fraud offences such as false representation, depending on the facts.
What is an investment scam?
An investment scam is where someone persuades you to invest money on false or misleading grounds, often using urgency, professional branding, and claims of high returns. The FCA provides consumer guidance and verification tools to help identify unauthorised firms.
How to spot an investment scam
Watch for pressure to act quickly, unrealistic returns, unclear firm details, and claims of regulation that cannot be verified. Use the FCA Warning List and Firm Checker where money is involved.
How to spot crypto scams
Crypto scams often involve fake platforms, fake “account managers”, or recovery agents. A major warning sign is anyone claiming they can guarantee recovery of losses. The FCA warns consumers to be cautious about crypto investment scams and “recovery” offers.
How to report crypto scams
You can report cryptocurrency investment fraud through the UK’s fraud reporting service, which provides specific reporting routes for crypto-related scams.
References
[1]https://www.psr.org.uk/information-for-consumers/app-fraud-reimbursement-protections/
[2]https://www.psr.org.uk/media/uaag25pp/app-fraud-publication-jul-2024-v6.pdf
[3]https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/fraudulent-payments
[5]https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/complaints-can-help/fraud-scams
[6]https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/protect-yourself/impersonation-fraud/
[7]https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams
[8]https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing
[9]https://www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-guidance/fraud-act-2006
[10]https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/protect-yourself-scams
[11]https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/warning-list-unauthorised-firms
[12]https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/fca-firm-checker
[13]https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/scams/how-to-spot-an-investment-scam
[14] https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/crypto-investment-scams
[15] https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/cryptocurrency/
[16]https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/system/files/2024-06/UK%20Finance%20Annual%20Fraud%20report%202024.pdf
[17] https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/
[18] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-fraud-new-service-from-city-of-london-police
