High riskBank & Payment Scams

Payment Request Scam

In this scam, a fraudster sends a payment request through a banking app or payment service, disguised as a refund, credit, or shared cost, so that approving it actually sends your money to them.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Request-to-pay abuse
Main red flag
A 'refund' or 'credit' that arrives as a request for you to approve a payment.
What to do first
Read carefully; approving a request sends money out, it does not receive it.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a fraudster sends a payment request through a banking app or payment service, disguised as a refund, credit, or shared cost, so that approving it actually sends your money to them.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'Here's your refund, just approve the request to receive it.' Approving actually sends your money to the scammer.

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 'refund' or 'credit' that appears as a payment request
  • Pressure to approve quickly
  • Wording that confuses sending with receiving
  • A request from someone you do not know
  • Approval that would debit your account

What to do

  • Read every request carefully before approving
  • Remember that approving a request sends money out
  • Decline unexpected requests and verify independently
  • Report suspicious requests to your bank or payment service

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you approved a request, contact your bank or service immediately
  • Report it as fraud and ask about recovery
  • Keep records of the request and messages
  • Review and tighten your payment app settings

What not to do

  • Do not approve requests expecting to receive money
  • Do not act on pressure to approve quickly
  • Do not approve requests from unknown senders

Similar scams

High risk Bank & Payment

Zelle Payment Scam

In this scam someone posing as your bank's fraud team contacts you about 'suspicious activity' and pressures you to send money through Zelle to 'reverse' a charge or 'protect' your account. Zelle transfers are usually instant and hard to recover.
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

Refund Recovery Scam

In this scam, a caller claims you are owed a refund, gains remote access to your device, moves money between your own accounts to fake an overpayment, then pressures you to 'return' the difference to them.

Frequently asked questions

How does a payment request scam work?
A fraudster sends a request to pay, dressed up as a refund or credit. Approving it sends your money to them rather than crediting you.
How can I tell send from receive?
Read the request carefully: approving a payment request debits your account. Genuine refunds arrive without you approving a payment.
I approved a request. What now?
Contact your bank or payment service immediately, report it as fraud, ask about recovery, and keep your records.
How do I avoid this?
Treat unexpected requests with caution, verify with the sender independently, and decline anything where approving would debit you.

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.