How Purchase Scams Work

Purchase scams represent the most prevalent form of authorised push payment (APP) fraud, with more than 131,000 incidents and £87 million lost in 2024.

An authorised push payment is a bank transfer approved by the account holder, typically to pay for an online service. In APP fraud, the account holder is tricked into authorising the payment themselves, often by a scammer operating through online marketplaces or social media platforms.

Whether you’re buying a car, a new gadget like a MacBook or iPhone, furniture, or even booking a holiday rental, be wary of deals that appear too good to be true. Scammers frequently use fake websites or post fraudulent adverts on legitimate sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Gumtree.

Online Purchase Scams