Automated Push Payment (APP) Fraud Prevention

As of October 7th 2024, Sciopay Ltd are legally required to comply with the Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam reimbursement rules which have been set out by the UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR).

This page will outline your rights as a consumer relating to APP fraud, the eligibility criteria under these rules, and general guidance on what to do if you fall victim to an APP scam and are required to make a claim.

APP fraud occurs when a consumer is deceived into transferring money to a fraudster’s bank account. Under these new rules, victims of APP scams will be reimbursed for their losses, provided their claim meets the regulatory eligibility criteria.

The reimbursement requirement applies to individuals, microenterprises (businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet under €2 million), and charities (with an annual turnover of less than £1 million) who use a PSP when an APP scam payment is made via CHAPS or Faster Payments within the UK. Claims are only eligible for payments made on or after October 7th 2024.

We may pause the five day reimbursement period if further information is required from you or another PSP. Depending on the case, you will receive a decision by no later than the 35th working day after reporting the scam.

The maximum reimbursement for an APP scam is £85,000.

There is an excess of £100 for each APP scam claim, which will be deducted from
the reimbursable amount.

Certain situations are excluded from reimbursement, including but not limited to:

Providing false information for financial gain
Payments made before October 7th 2024, or claims submitted more than 13 months after the last fraudulent payment
Payments made using your card
Scam payments involving cash
Civil disputes where a legitimate supplier was paid with no intent to defraud
Payments to or from credit unions, municipal banks, and national savings banks

Both we and the PSR expect you to take measured precautions when making payments. Your APP claim may be denied if you fail to meet the following standards, known as the ‘Consumer Standard of Caution’:

You must follow warnings from us about potential fraud
You must promptly report suspected fraud, ideally as soon as possible but no later than 13 months after the last fraudulent payment was transacted
You need to provide us with the necessary information to assess and investigate your claim
You must report the fraud to the relevant authorities or permit us to do so on your behalf

If you believe you’ve been a victim of an APP scam, contact us immediately on +44(0) 203 992 7639 or via email at info@sciopay.co, as delays could affect your entitlement to a refund.

Please ensure you collect as much evidence as possible and keep records of all communications with the scammer. We will keep you informed throughout the claim process and may ask for additional information to support it.

If required, you can report the fraud to a national authority or allow us to do so on your behalf.

If you’re dissatisfied with the outcome of a claim, you can escalate by raising a complaint. Our complaints procedure can be found here.

Certain situations are excluded from reimbursement, including but not limited to:

Providing false information for financial gain
Payments made before October 7th 2024, or claims submitted more than 13 months after the last fraudulent payment
Payments made using your card
Scam payments involving cash
Civil disputes where a legitimate supplier was paid with no intent to defraud
Payments to or from credit unions, municipal banks, and national savings banks