How to Get Your Money Back After a Scam: A Guide For Each Bank
At Refundee, we specialise in helping victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud get their money back from their bank. Below you will find a step-by-step guide to recovering your funds from your bank. Find your banks guide, or contact us for a free case review.
FCA Regulated
£140m won
UK’s best-rated6,000+ customersRECLAIMING YOUR FINANCES
You have a right to claim your money back
If you've been scammed, your bank may be legally required to refund you. Since 7 October 2024, UK banks have been subject to the Payment Systems Regulator's (PSR) Mandatory Reimbursement Model, which means refunding victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud is now a legal obligation, not a goodwill gesture.
Every bank handles complaints slightly differently - different contact routes, different internal processes, different timelines before you need to escalate. To make all that easier, we've put together a step-by-step guide for each major UK bank, covering exactly how to report the scam, what evidence to gather, and what to do if your bank refuses to refund you.
Find your bank below and read the full guide.
Bank Refund Guides
Bank of Scotland: How to recover funds from Bank of Scotland after a scam
First Direct: How to recover funds from First Direct after a scam
Nationwide: How to recover funds from Nationwide after a scam
Virgin Money: How to recover funds from Virgin Money after a scam
Can't see your bank listed?
Contact us for a free case review - the mandatory reimbursement rules apply across UK Faster Payments and CHAPS payments for UK banks and payment providers.
What the Mandatory Reimbursement Rules Mean for You
In short, if you were tricked into authorising a payment to a fraudster via UK Faster Payments or CHAPS, your bank must generally reimburse you - subject to a small number of exceptions (such as acting fraudulently yourself, or a genuine dispute with a legitimate supplier). Your bank has 5 business days to respond, extendable to 35 days if they need more information. Full detail on how the scheme works, what it covers, and what to do if your bank refuses is available in each bank-specific guide above.
If your bank has already refused your claim, or you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, a free case review will give you an honest answer either way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What do I need to do if I’ve been scammed?
If you have been scammed you should complete the following steps; cut all contact with the scammer, preserve all your evidence, report it to your bank immediately, report it to Report Fraud and await the banks response.
Can I get my money back if I was scammed?
In many cases, yes. Since October 2024, banks in the UK are subject to the PSR’s Mandatory Reimbursement Model, which means refunding fraud victims is now a legal obligation. As long as you meet the criteria for the Mandatory Reimbursement Model then you have a strong chance of being refunded.
What is the process of claiming my scammed money back?
Reporting processes can differ per bank, but claiming your money back usually follows these steps; report it to your bank promptly and provide evidence, the bank has 5 business days to respond and 35 days if they require further information.
My bank has rejected my claim what do I do?
If your bank has rejected your claim, do not to worry. You can escalate this to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge. You must first lodge an official complaint with the bank, then receive a final response letter from them. Importantly, you must escalate the case to the Financial Ombudsman Service within 6 months of receiving the Final Response Letter.
Can Refundee help me recover my money from my bank?
In many cases, yes. Refundee specialises in APP fraud recovery and navigating the bank and the Financial Ombudsman claim process. We have recovered over £140 million for our clients so far, with many of our clients coming to us when their bank has told them no.