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.
By the Scam or Safe Editorial TeamResearched & reviewed for accuracyQuick verdict
How this scam works
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.
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.
In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A 'refund' or 'credit' that arrives as a request for you to approve a payment. Read carefully; approving a request sends money out, it does not receive it.
Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Zelle Payment Scam and the Accidental Transfer Scam. See the full Bank & Payment Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.
How to spot this scam
- 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 the message looks like
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.
What gives it away: A 'refund' or 'credit' that arrives as a request for you to approve a payment.
The scale of it
How to protect yourself
- 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
Already responded? Do this now
- 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
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not approve requests expecting to receive money
- Do not act on pressure to approve quickly
- Do not approve requests from unknown senders
Related scams to know
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.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
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
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.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Common questions
How does a payment request scam work?
How can I tell send from receive?
I approved a request. What now?
How do I avoid this?
Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the Scam or Safe Editorial Team