Found a great deal on Facebook Marketplace, a rental listing, a used car, or a local tradesperson online? Before you send a bank transfer, take a few minutes to check who you are really paying.
Online marketplaces make buying quick and convenient, but they also give fraudsters the tools to look convincing. Fake sellers can copy company names, use professional-looking invoices, build branded social media pages and provide bank details that appear genuine at first glance.
This type of fraud is often linked to Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams, where someone is persuaded to send money directly to a fraudster. UK Finance reported that APP fraud losses reached just over £450 million in 2024, while the Payment Systems Regulator continues to highlight the role of Confirmation of Payee as a name-checking service designed to help prevent APP scams and misdirected payments.
By the time the fraud is discovered, the funds have often been withdrawn or transferred on.
The safest approach is simple: verify the business and the bank account before you pay. A quick check could help you spot a mismatch before your money leaves your account.
Our UK business payment verification service helps individuals and organisations check whether the business they are paying is genuine — and whether the bank account details match the company they have been given.
It combines two practical checks in one process: a Companies House company verification and a Confirmation of Payee bank account check. Together, they help identify red flags such as mismatched names, inactive companies, or a personal bank account being used when you expected to pay a business.
Step 1: Verify the Company (Companies House Check)
Fraudsters frequently use:
We check the company name against official Companies House records to confirm:
For example, if a seller claims to be “ABC Construction Ltd” but the official record shows a different name, a dissolved company, or no matching business at all, that is a warning sign worth investigating before you pay.
Step 2: Verify the Bank Account (Confirmation of Payee)
Next, we use Confirmation of Payee (CoP) to check the bank details you have been given.
This check confirms:
This matters because scammers often rely on small mismatches being overlooked.
If someone claims you are paying a limited company but the account is registered to an individual, that should raise concern. Many online seller scams rely on directing payments into personal accounts while pretending to operate as a legitimate business.
Why Both Checks Are EssentialFraudsters depend on one thing: that you won’t verify.By cross-checking:
…you reduce the chance of sending money to the wrong person, the wrong business, or a fraudster using someone else’s identity.This layered verification helps protect against:
Before sending money to a business or seller you found online, use this quick checklist:1. Never rely on logos, invoices or social media profiles alone2. Verify the exact registered company name at Companies House3. Check that the bank account name matches the company4. Confirm the account is a business account, not a personal one5. Be cautious of urgency or pressure to pay immediately6. Be especially wary if asked to pay by bank transfer rather than cardOur service brings these checks together, giving you a clearer view of whether the company and account details line up before you commit to the payment.
Ready to Pay? Check First.Bank transfers are fast — but fraud is faster.If you are about to pay a UK business — or someone claiming to be one — our anti-fraud and Confirmation of Payee solution can help you check the company and bank account details before you send funds. It is a simple step that can give you greater confidence and help reduce the risk of online payment fraud.Before you make your next bank transfer, take a moment to verify the details. A few minutes of checking could save you from a costly mistake.
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