UK bank impersonation and safe account scams

Why this matters

Banks do not ask you to move money to a 'safe account' to protect it. If you receive such a request, it is a scam. Hang up and contact your bank using a number from your card or app, not the number provided by the caller.

Recognizing the scam

This guide concerns UK bank impersonation scams. A hypothetical caller asks you to move £250 to a “safe account”: stop and verify independently before making any transfer.

Bank impersonation scams rely on urgency and authority. The caller may claim to be from your bank, a police officer, or a government agency. They will often create a sense of emergency, such as a suspected fraud or a security breach, to pressure you into acting quickly.

A key indicator is the request to move money to a 'safe account'. Legitimate banks never ask you to transfer funds to another account to protect them. If you are asked to do this, it is a scam. The caller may also ask for your PIN, password, or one-time code, which you should never share.

• Caller claims to be from your bank or a government agency.
• Creates a sense of urgency or emergency.
• Asks you to move money to a 'safe account'.
• Requests sensitive information like PIN, password, or one-time code.

Why caller ID is unreliable

Caller ID can be spoofed, meaning the number displayed on your phone may not be the actual number of the caller. Scammers use technology to make their calls appear to come from a legitimate bank or government agency.

Therefore, you should never rely on the displayed number to verify the identity of the caller. Instead, hang up and contact your bank using a trusted source, such as the number on the back of your card or the number in your banking app.

Never use the caller’s number or link. If you are unsure the call has disconnected, use another phone to contact the bank through your card, app or statement.

• Caller ID can be spoofed to display a fake number.
• Do not rely on the displayed number to verify identity.
• Use a trusted source like your card or app to contact your bank.

What to do if you are targeted

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Do not engage with the caller or provide any information. Contact your bank using a trusted number to verify if there is any legitimate issue with your account.

Keep messages, transaction references, recipient details and times for the bank’s investigation. Reporting promptly does not guarantee recovery.

• Hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call.
• Contact your bank using a trusted number.
• If money was transferred, contact your bank immediately.
• Preserve all messages and transaction details.

Pressured transfer vs account takeover

A pressured transfer is a scam where you are tricked into moving money to a 'safe account'. An account takeover is a different type of fraud where an attacker gains unauthorized access to your account and may make unauthorized transactions.

You may be deceived into authorising a transfer, or an attacker may use stolen credentials. Explain exactly what happened to your bank; both situations require prompt reporting. See account protection and the evidence checklist.

Practical checklist

• Hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call.
• Contact your bank using a trusted number, not the number provided by the caller.
• Never share your PIN, password, or one-time code.
• If money was transferred, contact your bank immediately and preserve all evidence.