Guides › Banking Scams and Fraud › Bought From a Fake Website: Getting Your Money Back
Bought from a Fake Website: Getting Your Money Back
If you paid a website that turns out to be fake, contact your bank or card provider straight away. Card payments can be challenged through Section 75 or chargeback. If you were tricked into a bank transfer, the reimbursement scheme covers payments from 7 October 2024, and you must report within 13 months.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
If You Paid by Card
Cards, Cash and Cheques
Card, cash and cheque payments have separate protections from the bank transfer scheme. For card payments, see the Section 75 and chargeback routes. source
Credit Card Claims
If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to claim from the card provider under Section 75 or through a chargeback. source
If You Paid by Bank Transfer
The Reimbursement Scheme
If you were tricked into making a UK Faster Payments or CHAPS bank transfer (an 'APP scam'), the scheme covers payments made on or after 7 October 2024. It covers individuals, very small businesses and charities. source
Maximum Payout
The maximum reimbursement under the scheme is 85,000 pounds, although a firm may choose to pay more. You must report the fraud within 13 months of the payment, but you should report it as soon as possible. source
The Excess
A bank may apply an optional excess of up to 100 pounds, or none. It cannot apply the excess to a vulnerable customer. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 13 monthsReport an APP scam or unauthorised paymentWithin 13 months of the payment, but as soon as possible
- 5 business daysBank transfer scam reimbursementWithin 5 business days of your claim, up to 35 business days if the bank needs more information
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Contact your bank or card provider straight away and tell them you paid a fake website.
Step 2 of 5
Keep the website address, emails, order confirmation and screenshots.
Step 3 of 5
If you paid by card, ask about Section 75 (credit card) or chargeback.
Step 4 of 5
If you paid by bank transfer, ask your bank to reimburse you under the scam scheme.
Step 5 of 5
Report the scam, and complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service if your bank refuses.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Bank's Complaints Team
Always start here, in writing, once your bank has refused or not replied.
Financial Ombudsman Service
You are unhappy with your bank's final response. It is free, and its limit is 430,000 pounds.
Report Fraud (Police)
Report any scam. Your bank may also ask you to report it.
Card Provider: Section 75 or Chargeback
You paid by card and cannot get your money back from the seller.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Paying by card gives you more protection than a bank transfer.
Look for spelling errors, prices far below normal and a website address that is slightly different from the real shop.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- psr.org.uk/information-for-consumers/app-fraud-reimbursement-protections Checked 13 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/getting-your-money-back-if-you-paid-by-card-or-paypal Checked 12 October 2026
- reportfraud.police.uk Checked 12 October 2026