--- title: "Bank safe account scam: signs and what to do | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/bank-safe-account-scam source: TapSafely description: "A caller from your bank's \"fraud team\" says your money is at risk. No bank ever asks you to move money to a safe account. Here's what to do." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/ Bank impersonation and “safe account” scams # Bank impersonation and “safe account” scams Someone calls from what looks like your bank's number. They know your name and maybe your last purchase. They say your account has been compromised and you must move your money to a new “safe account” today. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 · 3 min read ## In short A caller from your bank's "fraud team" says your money is at risk. No bank ever asks you to move money to a safe account. Here's what to do. **Top warning signs:** Moving money to a “safe account”; Being told to lie to bank staff; Asking for one-time codes or your PIN. **First thing to do:** Hang up. Then call your bank using the number on the back of your card, ideally from a different phone, or wait five minutes, because some scammers keep the line open. Example · SMS then call · Illustrative, links disabled YourBank BANK ALERT: A new payee 'J. Walker' was added to your account. If this was NOT you, call our fraud team immediately on 020 3000 1234. An example scam message with the warning signs highlighted. ## How the scam works It often starts with a fake alert text, as above, or a fake delivery form that collected your details. When you call the number, or they call you, a calm, professional “fraud officer” takes over. They say criminals, sometimes even staff inside your branch, are about to empty your account. To protect it, you must move everything to a new account they've set up for you. They may coach you to lie to your real bank if it asks questions: “say it's for a family member”. Other versions ask you to read out one-time codes to “cancel” fraudulent payments, install a remote access app, or hand your card to a courier. ## Red flags to look for - **Moving money to a “safe account”.** No genuine bank will ever ask you to do this. Ever. - **Being told to lie to bank staff.** “Don't tell the branch, they may be involved” is a script line. - **Asking for one-time codes or your PIN.** Your bank will never ask you to read these out. - **Caller ID shows the bank's real number.** Numbers can be spoofed. The display proves nothing. - **A courier coming to collect your card.** Banks don't collect cards from your door. ## What to do if you get one 1. Hang up. Then call your bank using the number on the back of your card, ideally from a different phone, or wait five minutes, because some scammers keep the line open. 2. Some countries have a safe shortcut to your bank. In the UK, for example, you can call **159**. 3. Never move money, share codes or install apps because a caller told you to. ## If you already paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. Call your bank immediately and say you've been the victim of an authorised push payment (APP) scam. In some countries, including the UK, many victims are entitled to reimbursement. 2. Report it to the police or your national fraud service. [See where to report in your country](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed#where-to-report). 3. Change your online banking password and check for new payees or devices. More help: [what to do after a scam, and where to report it in your country](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask They knew my name, address and recent transactions. Doesn't that prove it's my bank? No. Personal details are easy to obtain from data breaches or fake forms. Knowing about you is not proof of who they are. What if the call really is from my bank? Then there's no harm in hanging up and calling back on the official number. A real bank will understand and encourage it. ## Official sources and further reading We check our guides against advice from government agencies and consumer protection bodies. - [Never move your money to "protect it." That's a scam](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/never-move-your-money-protect-it-thats-scam) (US Federal Trade Commission) - [Impersonation scams](https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/protect-yourself/impersonation-fraud/) (Take Five to Stop Fraud, UK Finance) - [Bank investigator](https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/b-investigator-enqueteur-eng.htm) (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### On this page 1. [How it works](#how) 2. [Red flags](#red-flags) 3. [What to do](#what-to-do) 4. [If you already paid](#already-paid) 5. [Questions](#faq) 6. [Sources](#sources) ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report?category=bank) ## Related guides [Guide ### Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams Got a text saying your parcel is on hold until you pay a small fee? See how fake delivery texts work, the red flags, and… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-delivery-texts)[Guide ### Verification-code and account-takeover scams “I sent you a code by mistake, can you send it back?” How scammers steal WhatsApp, email and bank accounts with one-time… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/verification-code-scams)[Guide ### Tech support and remote-access scams Pop-ups saying your computer is infected, or calls from "Microsoft". How tech support scams work and what to do if someo… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/tech-support-scams)