Payment fraud when buying or selling
Criminals hack email and pose as your solicitor or agent to change the bank details, often on a Friday near completion. Never trust bank details sent by email.
This is the costliest property scam in the UK. A fraudster reads your email chain, then sends a convincing message saying the bank details have changed. The money is usually gone within hours.
Agree with your solicitor at the start, in person or by phone, that bank details will never change by email. Before sending any large sum, phone them on a number you already have (from their website or first letter), not one in the email, and send a small test amount first.
If you think you've been caught, call your bank immediately, then your solicitor, then report it to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).
What to check
- Bank details confirmed by phone on a number you already had?
- Any message saying details have changed? Treat it as fraud until proved otherwise
- Small test payment confirmed before the full amount?
Who can help
Your bank's fraud team, your solicitor, and Report Fraud.
Official sources
Checked 5 November 2026. General information for England and Wales, not legal advice.