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Keep your money safe from fraudsters

Learn about the latest scams we’re seeing, and how to protect yourself from fraud.

If you've been tricked by a fraudster into sending them money, chat to us in the app or call us on 0800 802 1281, or +44 20 3872 0620 if you're abroad.

Check that a call from Monzo is really us, in the app

Head to ‘Privacy & security’ in Settings by tapping your profile in the top left of the Home screen.

The ‘Monzo Call Status’ will show if we’re on the phone to you.

If it says we’re not talking to you, hang up and report it to us.

Pretending to be Monzo

Fraudsters can trick you into sending them money by pretending to be from your bank. They might tell you your money’s in danger and pressure you to send it to a ‘safe account.’

We’ll never call you out of the blue or ask you to move your money. Check it’s us and hang up if you’re not sure.

Pretending to be HMRC

Claiming to be from HMRC, scammers might threaten you with legal action if you don’t pay fast, or trick you into sharing sensitive info by offering you a refund or a 'goodwill payment’ you need to claim by clicking a link or filling in a form.

HMRC will only ever contact you about tax refunds by sending you a letter in the post. End the call and don’t click any links.

Pretending to be the police or a company you trust

Fraudsters pose as the police, your electricity company, your landlord or other organisations you trust. They might pressure you into paying them by threatening you with legal action or even arrest. They can spoof phone numbers and make emails look legitimate.

Trusted organisations will never ask you to move money or threaten you if you don’t. Hang up and report it.

Online shopping scams

On fake websites or social media like Facebook Marketplace, fraudsters trick people into buying something online that never actually arrives.

Use trusted sites and be wary if the price seems too good to be true.

Investment scams

Usually on social media like Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok, fraudsters will try to convince you to make an investment, promising really high returns.

But legitimate investments don’t happen on social media and will never guarantee profits. Check if a company is registered with The FCA before investing.

Phishing for sensitive information

Fraudsters send you a text or email that looks legitimate, and ask you to click on a link and fill in some sensitive information, which they then use to scam you.

Don’t share sensitive information like passwords unless you’ve checked it’s real.

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Protect yourself from fraud

  • If you get an unexpected call, hang up and call them back on their official phone number.
  • Take your time – a legitimate organisation will never pressure you into making a payment. If you're not sure, speak to a friend or family member, or give us a call.
  • Pay by card, not bank transfer – bank transfers aren’t protected in the same way card payments are, so once you’ve sent money to a fraudster it’s almost impossible to get it back.
  • Buy from trusted merchants where you can check verified reviews.
  • Don’t trust anything that’s too good to be true. Like if something’s a lot cheaper than it should be, or an investment promises guaranteed returns.

Report fraud to Action Fraud

Learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud on Take 5 To Stop Fraud

Sign-up to get scam alerts to your email from Which?

We work hard to prevent fraud and keep your money safe

With cutting-edge technology and teams of expert investigators, we’re committed to stopping criminals and helping protect our customers.