Alert : Authorized Push Payment Fraud (APP Fraud)

A growing scam manipulates victims into authorizing transfers themselves, often to fraudsters’ accounts. Unlike hacking, the transaction is “approved,” making recovery difficult.

Fraudulent Authorized Payments

Scammers pose as banks, authorities, or relatives, convincing victims to urgently transfer money. Trust and pressure are key tactics.

How it works

Fraudsters contact victims via phone, email, or SMS, claiming to be a bank advisor or official. They create urgency (compromised account, unpaid taxes, emergency purchase) to push immediate transfers.
Signs: urgent tone, requests to transfer money yourself, threats, or emotional pressure.

Tips:

• 📞 Hang up and call your bank directly using its official number.
• 🚫 Never authorize a transfer under pressure.
• 🔍 Verify the caller’s identity through an independent channel.
• 💳 Enable banking notifications to monitor transactions.
• 📢 Warn relatives and colleagues to prevent more victims.

Conclusion

Stay alert to urgent or unusual transfer requests. If in doubt, contact your bank immediately and report the fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
For more advice on fraud prevention, read our guide:
Key steps to avoid most online scams!

Written by : René Ronse
Methodology : Our alert articles are based on regular monitoring of national reporting platforms, feedback from victims, and statements issued by relevant authorities.
About the author : René Ronse, manager of ArnaqueOuFiable.com. Expert in consumer cybersecurity, specialist in detecting online fraud, product transparency, and digital compliance. He has over 20 years of experience analyzing hidden subscription mechanisms, unreadable terms and conditions, aggressive sales tactics, and deceptive commercial practices on the web.
Sources : psr.org.uk | aciworldwide.com | feedzai.com | ukfinance.org.uk
Last updated : 3 October 2025.
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