High riskBank & Payment

Fake E-Transfer Scam

This scam sends a fake e-transfer notification linking to a phishing page that imitates your bank's login to steal your online banking details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
E-transfer phishing scam
Main red flag
An e-transfer 'deposit' email that asks you to log in through its link.
What to do first
Do not use the email link. Deposit through your bank's official app or website.

Understanding this scam

This scam sends a fake e-transfer notification linking to a phishing page that imitates your bank's login to steal your online banking details.

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.

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: An e-transfer 'deposit' email that asks you to log in through its link. Do not use the email link. Deposit through your bank's official app or website.

If your message looks slightly different, check the Fake Bank Alert Text Scam or the PayPal Payment Pending Scam, both are close cousins of this pattern. Every related guide lives in the Bank & Payment Scams guides, and the scam checker can scan the text you received.

A typical example

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'INTERAC e-Transfer: You have received $250.00. Click here to deposit your funds: [suspicious link]'

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.

The tell here: An e-transfer 'deposit' email that asks you to log in through its link.

What the data shows

#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

Warning signs

  • An e-transfer from someone you do not know or were not expecting
  • A 'deposit' link that opens a bank login page rather than your app
  • A web address that is not your bank's official site
  • A request for your card number, password, or security questions
  • Pressure to deposit quickly before it 'expires'

Your safest response

  • Open your bank's official app or website to receive transfers
  • Use auto-deposit so you never click an email link
  • Verify any unexpected transfer with the supposed sender
  • Report the phishing email to your bank and delete it

If you have already engaged

  • Do not enter your banking details on the linked page
  • If you logged in, change your online banking password immediately
  • Call your bank to secure your account
  • Review recent activity for anything unexpected

What to avoid

  • Do not enter banking logins on emailed links
  • Do not share security question answers
  • Do not accept transfers from unknown senders

You might also see

High risk Bank & Payment

Fake Bank Alert Text Scam

This scam sends a text claiming suspicious activity on your account, then steers you to a fake login page or a 'fraud agent' who pressures you to move money.

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

PayPal Payment Pending Scam

This scam shows a fake 'payment on hold' message claiming funds will be released once you ship an item or confirm details, but no real payment exists.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam

A fake buyer claims to have paid through an email service and asks you to confirm a fee or send the 'difference' before any real money arrives.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Questions people ask

How can I receive e-transfers safely?
Set up auto-deposit with your bank so funds arrive automatically without any link, and access transfers only through your official banking app or website.
The email looks like my bank. Is it real?
Scammers copy bank branding closely. The safe approach is to ignore the link and check directly in your official banking app.
Why would a stranger send me money?
They are not really sending money. The 'deposit' link leads to a fake login page designed to capture your banking credentials.
I entered my banking login. What now?
Change your password immediately, call your bank to secure the account, and watch for unauthorised transactions.

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.