Medium riskBank & Payment Scams

Micro-Deposit Verification Scam

In this scam, a fraudster sends or references small 'verification' deposits, then uses them to link your bank account to a service, or tricks you into confirming details that grant access for theft.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Account linking / verification fraud
Main red flag
A request to confirm small 'verification' deposits to an unverified app or caller.
What to do first
Only confirm micro-deposits within services you set up and trust.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a fraudster sends or references small 'verification' deposits, then uses them to link your bank account to a service, or tricks you into confirming details that grant access for theft.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'We sent two small deposits to verify your account, please confirm the amounts here to link it.' The link grants a scammer access.

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.

Red flags to watch for

  • A request to confirm micro-deposit amounts to an unfamiliar service
  • Small deposits you did not expect
  • A link or caller asking you to verify them
  • Pressure to confirm quickly
  • An app or service you cannot verify

What to do

  • Only confirm micro-deposits within services you set up and trust
  • Be wary of unexpected small deposits and verification requests
  • Review linked accounts and revoke unknown ones
  • Report suspicious requests to your bank

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you confirmed deposits to an unknown service, contact your bank
  • Revoke any account links you do not recognise
  • Change your online banking password from a trusted device
  • Review transactions for unauthorised activity

What not to do

  • Do not confirm verification deposits to unverified services
  • Do not act on unexpected deposit-verification requests
  • Do not share account details to 'verify'

Similar scams

High risk Bank & Payment

Open Banking Consent Scam

In this scam, a fake app or service asks you to connect your bank via open banking for a 'budget', 'refund', or 'loan check', then uses the granted access to view your data or initiate payments.
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.
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.

Frequently asked questions

What are micro-deposits used for?
Legitimate services use small deposits to verify account ownership when you link an account you control. Scammers misuse this to link your account to their service.
I got unexpected small deposits. Is that a sign?
It can be. If you did not set up a link, be cautious and do not confirm the amounts to any unfamiliar service or caller.
I confirmed deposits to an unknown app. What now?
Contact your bank, revoke unknown account links, change your banking password from a trusted device, and review transactions.
How do I link accounts safely?
Only within services you set up and trust, and review and remove any account links you do not recognise.

Last reviewed: June 2026

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.