Will Barclays Refund Scammed Money? (2026 Guide)
If a scammer convinced you to send money from your Barclays account, there’s a good chance you can get it back. Barclays must now refund most victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud - because the rules changed in October 2024.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
When Barclays has to refund you
What the new rules mean in 2026
What counts as APP fraud
How to claim your money back
What to do if Barclays refuses your refund
What Is APP Fraud - And Why It Matters
APP fraud happens when a scammer manipulates you into sending them money. You authorise the payment, but only because you were deceived.
Common examples include:
Impersonation scams (e.g. ‘Barclays’, ‘HMRC’, ‘Amazon’)
Cryptocurrency scam platforms
Why this matters: If you were tricked, you should be protected. APP fraud victims are now covered by strong reimbursement rules, which significantly increase your chances of getting your money back.
What Changed In October 2024 - And What It Means For You
On 7 October 2024, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) introduced Mandatory Reimbursement, (MR), (link to our blog on MR) for APP fraud. This was a major shift, and it benefits scam victims.
In simple terms: Refunding scam victims is now a legal obligation, not a goodwill gesture. Most APP fraud victims must be refunded by their bank.
Key parts of the new rules:
Banks must refund most APP fraud victims
Maximum refund: £85,000 per claim
Banks can deduct an excess of up to £100 (this doesn’t apply to vulnerable customers)
Victims must report the scam and provide info promptly
Banks cannot delay claims indefinitely
What this means for you: If you were manipulated into transferring money, Barclays will usually have to reimburse you, and quickly.
Barclays’ Policy - When You Are Likely To Get Refunded (Or Rejected)
Barclays has long been part of the CRM Code, so they already had a system for assessing scam claims. The new 2024 rules strengthen your position even further when claiming for your refund.
You’re likely to get refunded if:
You were genuinely tricked
You didn’t knowingly send money to a scammer
You reported the scam quickly
You cooperated fully with the bank
You didn’t ignore clear, specific scam warnings
Barclays may refuse your refund if:
They believe you knowingly authorised the payment
You didn’t respond to their information requests
You ignored specific scam warnings shown at the time of payment
You shared secure info (PINs, login codes, etc)
Useful data: According to 2023 PSR statistics, Barclays refunded around 70% of total reported APP fraud losses - and that was before the new mandatory rules kicked in.
What This Means For You (And Other Barclays Customers) In 2026
Thanks to the 2024 rule changes, Barclays now has a legal duty to refund most APP scam victims.
This means:
Your chances of getting your money back are significantly higher
You’re protected for up to £85,000 per claim
Vulnerable customers get even stronger protections
Barclays must handle your claim within proper timelines
But remember: Refunds aren’t automatic. You still need to act quickly, cooperate, and show you were misled.
Should You Expect Barclays To Refund You?
In many cases, yes.
If you were deceived, acted reasonably, and reported the scam quickly, there’s a strong chance Barclays will refund you - especially under the October 2024 rules.
How to Make a Bank Fraud Claim Against Barclays
If you’ve been scammed and Barclays has refused to refund your money, it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Refundee helps scam victims understand their rights and challenge bank decisions when fraud protections haven’t been applied correctly. In some Barclays cases, customers are told they’re responsible for the loss - even where red flags were missed or extra checks should have been made.
Refundee has supported Barclays customers in recovering money lost to scams. In one case, a Barclays customer lost thousands to a romance scam. They worked with Refundee after their initial refund request was declined by Barclays bank. They later shared their experience in a verified Trustpilot review, showing how Refundee helped guide them through the process and secure their refund.
We assist Barclays scam cases involving investment fraud, crypto scams, impersonation scams, and authorised push payment (APP) fraud.
How Refundee helps Barclays scam victims
With Refundee, you get:
A free, no obligation case review
Clear guidance on your rights and whether Barclays followed proper fraud procedures
Help challenging refund refusals and escalating complaints
No win, no fee support - you only pay if your claim is successful
If You Experienced A Scam Involving Barclays:
If Barclays has refused to refund your scam loss, Refundee can help you explore your options and guide you through the next steps.
We’ve already recovered over £100 million for UK scam victims (including many Barclays customers) and can help you understand your rights or challenge a rejected claim.
Start your claim online today and get support at every stage, from understanding your case to pursuing a potential refund.
