This is when a scammer pretends to be someone from Virgin Money or another trusted bank. They might say your account is at risk and that you need to move your money to a safe account to protect it.
We call this an Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam. Our APP scam page explains more about how these scams work and what to do if you've been affected.
How it works:
- You might get a call, text or email that looks genuine. Fraudsters can spoof phone numbers to make them look like ours.
- They may already have some of your details, making their story sound convincing.
- They often say your account is at risk or that they’re helping with a fraud investigation.
- They’ll ask you to move money to a new account, share one-time codes, or even apply for a loan to “secure your funds”.
- They might pressure you to keep it secret or lie to your bank about the reason for the payment.
How to avoid it:
- Stop, hang up and dial 159. It's a secure number that no one can spoof or impersonate. It's voice automated so just say 'Virgin Money' and you'll be put straight through to us. Visit the 159 Stop Scams UK website Link opens in a new window for more info.
- Check who’s contacting you. If you’re unsure, call us using the number on the back of your card or on our website.
- Never move money to another account. Virgin Money will never ask you to transfer money or apply for a loan for “security reasons.”
- Don’t share passcodes or passwords. We’ll never ask for your passcode, PIN, or one-time code by phone, text or email.
- Don’t click on unexpected links or install apps. Avoid downloading anything or opening links from messages you weren’t expecting.
- Take your time. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency. Stop, think, and check with us first.
