Sending from the United Kingdom
Protect yourself from money transfer scams
Learn the scams that target people sending money abroad, how to spot them, and how to report fraud in the UK with Report Fraud, 159 and 7726.
Three rules before you send
Only send to people you know and trust
A money transfer is like handing over cash. Once it has been paid out, it usually cannot be brought back.
Keep your password and codes to yourself
We will never ask for your password, a one-time code or your full card details, by phone, message or email.
Stop if you are being rushed
Pressure, secrecy and a deadline are the marks of a scam. A genuine request can wait while you check it.
Scams that use money transfers
Criminals stole £1.28 billion through payment fraud and scams in the UK in 2025. Most scams begin online or with a call or message. These are the ones most likely to end with a request to send money abroad.
Something for sale that does not exist
A car, a pet, a rental, tickets or a bargain phone, advertised online by a seller who wants paying by money transfer first.
The most common scam in the UK. A money transfer is for people you know, not for buying from strangers.
Someone you met online needs money
A friendship or romance that began on social media or a dating app, with someone you have never met, turns into a request for money: a medical bill, a flight, a customs fee.
They always have a reason not to meet or video call. Losses to romance scams rose by almost a quarter in 2025.
A call from "your bank", the police or HMRC
The caller says your account is at risk, you owe a fine, or you must help an investigation, and tells you to move or send money straight away.
No bank, police force or tax office will ever ask you to send money to keep it safe or to pay a fine by money transfer.
"Hi Mum, I have a new number"
A message that seems to come from a son, daughter or friend, from a number you do not know, asking for urgent help. Criminals can now also copy a familiar voice.
Call the person on the number you already have before you do anything.
An investment that cannot lose
Guaranteed returns, a crypto tip, a celebrity endorsement, a friendly "adviser" who shows you profits on a screen.
Investment scams took more money than any other type in 2025. Check any firm on the FCA Register first.
A prize, a loan or a job with a fee up front
You have won a lottery, inherited money, been approved for a loan or offered a job, but must send a fee, tax or deposit to release it.
If you have to pay to receive money, it is a scam.
Someone wants to control your phone or computer
A caller offering to fix a problem, process a refund or help you send money asks you to install an app that lets them see or use your screen.
We will never ask you to install software or share your screen. Hang up.
A copy of our website, app or messages
A link in a text or email leads to a page that looks like ours and asks you to sign in or pay.
Our only website is www.expremit.com. Type it in yourself rather than following a link.
Do not move money for someone else
Criminals use ordinary people to move stolen money for them. It is called being a money mule, and most people who do it never meant to.
How people get drawn in
- A job advert for a "payment agent" or "money transfer assistant", with pay for very little work.
- A message offering easy money for the use of your account.
- A friend, partner or someone you met online asking you to receive money and send it on.
How to stay out of it
- Send only your own money, from your own account, to people you know.
- Never send a transfer for someone else, and never let anyone else use your account or your app.
- If you have been asked to, or you are unsure about a request, tell us before you send.
If you think you have been scammed
Act quickly, in this order. There is no shame in being targeted.
Tell us straight away
Call +44 20 8552 5105 with your transfer reference. If the money has not yet been paid out we will try to stop it. The sooner you call, the better the chance.
Call your bank on 159
If your card or bank details are involved, hang up and dial 159. It connects you safely to your own bank’s fraud team.
Report it to the police
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. It replaced Action Fraud. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
Keep the evidence
Save the messages, emails, phone numbers, adverts and references. Do not delete the conversation.
Secure your accounts
Change your passwords, starting with your email, and do not reuse the old ones.
Report a suspicious message
A text message
Forward it to 7726. It is free and goes to your mobile network.
An email
Forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Someone using our name
Tell us on +44 20 8552 5105 or at hello@expremit.com.
How we protect your money
Authorised and regulated
Express Remit Ltd is an Authorised Payment Institution, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, reference 781786. You can check this on the FCA Register.
We check who is sending
Identity checks, and sometimes questions about where money has come from, stop accounts being opened in your name and stop criminals using the service.
Your information is protected
We are registered with the Information Commissioner, number ZA462150, and collect only what we need to carry out your transfer and meet our legal duties.
What protection you have
Since 7 October 2024, UK banks and payment firms must refund most victims of bank-transfer scams, up to £85,000. Those rules cover payments between UK accounts. They do not cover money sent abroad.
That is why checking before you send matters most with an international transfer. If you are unhappy with how we have handled a fraud report, you can complain to us, and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Last reviewed November 2026.