High riskBank & Payment

APP Purchase Scam

In this scam, you are persuaded to pay by bank transfer for goods, services, tickets, or a deposit that never materialise; because you authorised the payment yourself, it is hard to recover.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Authorised push payment (purchase)
Main red flag
A seller insists on a bank transfer for goods, with no buyer protection.
What to do first
Avoid bank transfers to people you have not verified; use protected payment methods.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, you are persuaded to pay by bank transfer for goods, services, tickets, or a deposit that never materialise; because you authorised the payment yourself, it is hard to recover.

Bank and payment scams weaponise your trust in your bank and your fear of losing money. They fake fraud alerts, blocked payments, or refunds, then steer you into moving money to a "safe account", sharing a one-time code, or approving a transfer, actions a genuine bank will never ask of you.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A seller insists on a bank transfer for goods, with no buyer protection. Avoid bank transfers to people you have not verified; use protected payment methods.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Fake Escrow Scam or the Money Transfer Service Scam, browse the Bank & Payment Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

#1
copycat bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam in the US in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
£459.7M
lost to authorised push payment (APP) fraud in the UK in 2023
Source: UK Finance

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Pay the deposit by bank transfer to secure it, it's cheaper for both of us and avoids fees.' The goods never arrive.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A seller insists on a bank transfer for goods, with no buyer protection.

Red flags to watch for

  • Pressure to pay by bank transfer for goods or a deposit
  • A deal that avoids platforms with buyer protection
  • Prices that are too good to be true
  • A seller you cannot verify
  • Urgency to pay before others

What to do

  • Use payment methods with buyer protection
  • Verify the seller and goods before paying
  • Be wary of transfer-only deals
  • Confirm details independently before sending money

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you transferred money, contact your bank immediately to try to recover it
  • Report it to your bank's fraud team and your fraud authority
  • Keep all messages and payment records
  • Be wary of follow-up recovery scams

What not to do

  • Do not pay by bank transfer to unverified sellers
  • Do not skip buyer-protected payment methods
  • Do not let urgency rush your decision

Similar scams

High risk Marketplace

Fake Escrow Scam

In a high-value marketplace deal, the other party insists on a specific 'escrow' or 'secure payment' website to hold the funds, but the site is fake and simply collects your money or card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Money Transfer Service Scam

In this scam, you are pressured to send money through a cash wire-transfer service for a prize, emergency, purchase, or 'fee', because such transfers are fast, often anonymous, and very hard to reverse once collected.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Bank & Payment

Accidental Transfer Scam

In this scam, money arrives in your account 'by mistake' and the sender urgently asks you to return it; the original funds were stolen or are later reversed, so any money you send back comes from your own balance.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Why are bank transfers risky for purchases?
Because you authorise the payment yourself, it can be very hard to recover if the goods never arrive. Protected payment methods offer more recourse.
How do I pay safely?
Use payment methods or platforms with buyer protection, verify the seller and goods, and avoid transfer-only deals that bypass safeguards.
I transferred money and got nothing. What now?
Contact your bank immediately to try to recover it, report it to your bank's fraud team and authority, and keep your evidence.
Is a cheaper price for paying by transfer worth it?
No. The 'discount' is bait to remove buyer protection. A genuine seller does not need to push you to an unprotected method.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.