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.
By the Scam or Safe Editorial TeamResearched & reviewed for accuracyQuick verdict
Understanding this 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.
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 app or service asking you to connect your bank to access a refund, loan, or tool. Only grant open banking access to apps you fully trust and have verified.
If your message looks slightly different, check the Fake Banking App Scam or the Loan App 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
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 app or service asking you to connect your bank to access a refund, loan, or tool.
What the data shows
Warning signs
- A request to connect your bank to an unfamiliar app
- Access sought to claim a refund or 'check' something
- An app you cannot verify as regulated
- Pressure to connect quickly
- Broad permissions including initiating payments
Your safest response
- Only grant open banking access to verified, regulated apps you trust
- Review and revoke account access you do not recognise in your banking app
- Be cautious of refund or loan lures asking for bank access
- Report suspicious apps to your bank and regulator
If you have already engaged
- Revoke the app's access in your banking app immediately
- Change your online banking password from a trusted device
- Review transactions and report anything unfamiliar
- Contact your bank if payments were initiated
What to avoid
- Do not connect your bank to unverified apps
- Do not grant access to claim a refund or prize
- Do not ignore unfamiliar connected apps
You might also see
Fake Banking App Scam
A counterfeit banking or finance app, often spread through an unofficial app store, an advert or a link, mimics a real bank to capture your login and one-time codes. Some fakes are designed to harvest credentials directly, while others install malware that intercepts your genuine banking. Once attackers have your login and codes, they may attempt to access your real account.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Loan App Scam
In this scam, an instant-loan app offers quick cash with no checks, then demands excessive access to your contacts and photos, charges hidden fees and extreme interest, and harasses or blackmails you over repayments.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
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
Questions people ask
What is open banking consent fraud?
How do I check what has access?
I connected a suspicious app. What now?
Is open banking itself safe?
Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the Scam or Safe Editorial Team