Faster Payments are usually instant — so a “payment sent” screenshot with no money in your account is a red flag. Here is how to verify a real Faster Payment.
Key takeaways
- A Faster Payments screenshot or document is not proof of payment — it can be faked in minutes.
- Only the credit actually arriving (Faster Payments are normally instant) in your bank account (online/mobile banking) confirms a real payment.
- Never release goods or send a “refund” based on a forwarded image.
- When unsure, run it through ScamCheck’s free detector.
How the fake Faster Payments scam works
Someone sends you a Faster Payments confirmation showing money on its way — but nothing reaches your account. A genuine Faster Payment normally lands in your account within seconds to two hours. A screenshot of a “payment sent” confirmation is not proof — only the credit showing in your own account is. The pressure to move fast (“I’ve sent it, please release it now”) is the giveaway.
Red flags
- The “proof” is a forwarded image or document, not a credit you can see in your own bank.
- Urgency and pushback when you say you’ll wait for the money to clear.
- The amount, reference, or date doesn’t match your records.
- Any request to “refund the difference” or pay a “release fee”.
This is a common authorised push payment (APP) fraud setup. Never release goods or send a “refund” based on a screenshot; wait for the money to actually appear.
How to verify a real Faster Payments
- Open your bank account (online/mobile banking) and confirm the credit actually arriving (Faster Payments are normally instant).
- If the money isn’t there, it hasn’t been paid — do not hand anything over.
- For higher-value deals, wait until the funds are fully cleared and irreversible.
Not sure if a Faster Payments screenshot is real?
Upload it to ScamCheck’s free AI screenshot detector — it flags the signs of an edited or fake payment image in seconds.
Buying from an unfamiliar website or business? Verifying the payment is only half the check — verify the seller too. See whether a business is independently verified with TrustSeal.
If you’ve already been affected
- Contact your bank immediately — they may be able to stop or trace the funds.
- Report it to your national fraud authority — in the UK, Action Fraud (0300 123 2040); in the US, the FTC and IC3.
- Keep all messages, the screenshot/document, and account details as evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Faster Payments screenshot be fake?
Yes. A Faster Payments confirmation can be fabricated with editing tools. It is not evidence that money reached you — only your bank account (online/mobile banking) is.
How do I check if it’s real?
Confirm the credit actually arriving (Faster Payments are normally instant) in your bank account (online/mobile banking). If anything is missing or doesn’t match, treat it as fake and stop the transaction.
Can ScamCheck detect a fake payment screenshot?
Yes. ScamCheck’s free screenshot detector checks a payment image for signs of editing and known fake patterns.
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- ScamCheck: free payment-screenshot detector