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How to Report Fraud or a Scam

Find out what to do if you’re worried about a payment, how to report fraud and scams and what happens after you tell us, plus get tips on how to help protect yourself.
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What is fraud?

Fraud takes place when a person deliberately practices deception in order to gain something unlawfully or unfairly. For example, fraud is when someone steals your organisation’s bank or personal details, and uses them to authorise a transaction from your account without knowing. It’s a transaction you don’t recognise.
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What is a scam?

A scam is where you are tricked into making a payment to a scammer, who steals the money. Scammers impersonate people and organisations you trust, using emails, phone calls and tests that seem genuine.

The next steps:

  • 1

    Call our customer service, your relationship manager or report via the links above:

    You will need to share the details of the scam, the account details you sent the money to, and any contact details you have for the scammer.

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  • 2

    Send us any evidence you have

    It will support your claim and help us get the right outcome.

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  • 3

    We’ll investigate

    We will review any evidence you have given us, and investigate the scam.

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  • 4

    We’ll contact you

    We will contact you to let you know the outcome, or ask for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Common questions about reporting fraud:

  • Report a fraud

    If you think there has been fraudulent activity on your Unity Trust Bank account, or if you are ever in doubt contact us first using one of the options below, we’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

    • Call our Customer Service team right away on our dedicated fraud number, freephone 0808 196 8420 (open 24/7).
    • Fill in the form here

    Once you have done that:

    • File an online report to Action Fraud here: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
    • If your business is based in Scotland, contact Scotland Police on 101
    • You can also report it directly to your Relationship Manager, if you have one. If you cannot get in touch with your Relationship Manager, call our Customer Service team right away.
  • What are some common types of fraud?

    There are many types of fraud, but some of the most common include phishing scams, identity theft, investment scams, and advance-fee scams.

  • If I’ve been a victim of fraud, should I report it to the police?

    If you have been a victim of fraud that’s affected an account or card you have with us, contact us first using our number or our form here.

    Once you have done that: 

  • How can I protect myself from fraud?

    Here are some general tips:

    • Be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or text messages.
    • Never give out your personal or financial information to someone you don’t know and trust.
    • Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
    • Regularly monitor your bank statements and credit reports for suspicious activity.
    • Use strong passwords and keep them confidential.
    • Set up dual authorisation.
    • Visit our security page for more information.
  • What should I do if I suspect fraud?

    If you suspect fraud, report it to the authorities immediately. You should contact us to report any suspicious activity on your accounts.

  • What do I do if my multipay card or cheque book has been lost or stolen

    Contact us immediately if your multipay card or cheque book is lost or stolen. See below for how you can do this in several ways, with phone, online and by app available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    If your Multipay card is lost or stolen, contact Lloyds directly and the number to contact them is 0345 030 6270. However, any changes to the account you hold with Lloyds are completed via Unity, so your relevant forms are available here.

  • What should I do if someone takes over my device and starts using my account remotely?

    If someone tricks you into downloading software that gives them control over your device or your bank account, you need to disconnect or end the session immediately. There’s usually a button in the software that lets you do this. If you can’t find one, turn off your device and disconnect your wi-fi. Then contact us immediately.

Common questions about reporting scams:

  • Report a scam

    If you think there has been fraudulent activity on your Unity Trust Bank account, or if you are ever in doubt contact us first using one of the options below, we’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

    • Call our Customer Service team right away on our dedicated fraud number, freephone 0808 196 8420 (open 24/7).
    • Fill in the form here

    Once you have done that:

    • File an online report to Action Fraud here
    • If your business is based in Scotland, contact Scotland Police on 101
    • You can also report it directly to your Relationship Manager, if you have one. If you cannot get in touch with your Relationship Manager, call our Customer Service team right away.
  • Should I report this to the police?

    If you have been a victim of fraud that’s affected an account you have with us, contact us first using our number or our form here.

    Once you have done that:

  • What are payment scams?

    Payment scams involve tricking you into sending money to a fraudulent account. They can come in many forms, including phone calls, emails, texts, or even fake websites. A common type of payment scam is Authorized Push Payment (APP) Fraud.

    APP Fraud occurs when you’re tricked into authorizing a payment to a fraudulent account. Scammers might impersonate legitimate organisations (like your bank, utility company, or even a friend) and create a sense of urgency or pressure to make a payment. They could also send fake invoices that appear real.

  • How can I protect myself from payment scams?

    Here are some key tips:

    • Always verify the recipient’s details before making a payment. Look for Confirmation of Payee (CoP) services if available. This helps ensure you’re sending money to the intended person or business.
    • Never share your personal or financial information over email, text message, or phone unless you initiated the contact. Legitimate organisations won’t ask for this information unsolicited.
    • Be wary of urgent requests. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into a quick decision. Take your time! If something feels off, it probably is.
    • Don’t be afraid to say “no” and hang up if something feels suspicious.
    • Contact the beneficiary/organisation or individual you are looking to pay via a trusted source to confirm the payment request is legitimate.

     

  • What should I do if money has gone from my account without me knowing?

    Please contact us on the numbers above to report fraud on your account.

  • Will I get my money back?

    We review each case on an individual basis, so its important for you to tell us everything and keep record of everything that happened leading up to the scam.

  • How can I better protect myself from scams in the future?

    It’s really important that you know how to protect you and your organisation against scams – we’ve got everything you need to stay safe on our Protect yourself from fraud and scams page.

  • Where should I report scam attempts?

    If you suspect a scam for any payment made from your Unity Trust Bank account using any service, please contact us.

How can I protect my organisation from fraud?

Avoid paying by cheque

When paying large amounts, it’s safer to use our standing payments or CHAPS services (charges apply). You can also register for Online Banking to use Faster Payments.

Set up dual authorisation

Where appropriate for your organisation, assign at least two people to approve online payments and set up dual authority for signing your cheques. You can set this up by updating your details.

Update fraud policies

Update your internal procedures so that everyone knows how to act if internal or external fraud is identified, and regularly train staff on fraud prevention measures.

Keep your devices secure

To stay safe when using the internet, install an anti-virus and spyware software. Ensure you keep it up-to-date and regularly updated.

Important Information

Read more in the T&Cs

*subject to review