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Tide Logo
Tide Logo
Tide Logo

Stay safe from advance fee scams

An advance fee scam is when you're tricked into paying an upfront fee for a big prize, loan, or service. Once you send the money, the fraudster disappears and you get absolutely nothing.

Learn how to spot advance fee scams and stay protected.

Emergency fraud support

Reach our dedicated team 24/7

Call 159

If you're in the UK

Message in-app

Tap the Support icon in the top right corner > Report fraud

How advance fee scams often work

How advance fee scams often work

  1. The scammer contacts you via email, text, social media, or fake online ads and makes an offer

  2. The scammer claims you have to pay an upfront fee to release your winnings

  3. The promised reward never materialises and your money is gone

Different types of advance fee scams

Refund or scam recovery

Fraudsters pose as recovery experts who promise to retrieve lost money in exchange for an upfront fee.

Investment or inheritance

You're told you need to pay a custom fee or legal charge to unlock a massive inheritance or investment payout.

Job offer

Fake employers require you to pay upfront for training programmes, background checks, or equipment.

Quick online loan

Scammers guarantee fast loan approval, regardless of your credit history, but demand an upfront administration or insurance fee.

Rental property

Scammers advertise high-demand properties at incredibly low prices and demand a security deposit before you can view the place.

Lottery, prize, or competition

Scammers claim you have won, but insist you must pay a processing (or entry) fee or tax to release the winnings.

How to protect yourself from advance fee scams

1. When browsing online

Be wary of ads and pop-ups

If a pop-up redirects you to an external website, carefully verify the URL.

Scammers often use these to mimic actual companies.

Avoid random links or profiles

Always type a company's web address directly into your browser rather than clicking shared links.

Scammers often create fake profiles for fraudulent job offers.

Verify the website security features

Secure browser bars displaying a closed padlock and "https://" mean the connection is encrypted.

This doesn't necessarily show that the website is genuine.

Think twice before filling out forms

Fraudsters could use forms to capture details and then contact you.

They often pretend to know your financial history, using stolen data.

2. When someone makes you an offer

Research the company

Always look up the organisation's website, office address, and reviews on verified platforms.

Double-check the email

Scammers often use mismatched or public email domains instead of official business addresses.

Call to verify the contact

If you are contacted out of the blue, look up the company’s official phone number online and call them to check the offer's legitimacy.

3. Before you decide to pay the fee

Don't pay fees for promised rewards

Never pay to release prizes or goods and services you never ordered.

Use legitimate, checked companies for credit

Verify that a financial firm is fully regulated and backed by official authorities, like the FCA.

Don't pay a deposit for an unseen rental

Avoid signing agreements for a property until you have visited it in person.

Never pay an employer before starting a job

Legitimate companies will never require you to pay upfront as a condition of your employment.

Consider – is it too good to be true?

If a stranger pressures you to pay an unexpected admin charge, insurance fee, or tax, stop the conversation immediately.

Don't let anyone rush you to pay

Especially if they are pushing you to make a payment to a personal back account or using cryptocurrency.

What to do if you've been (or suspect you've been) targeted

What to do if you've been (or suspect you've been) targeted

  1. Report it to Tide immediately by calling 159 from the UK, or tapping the Support icon in the top right corner > Report fraud in your Tide app. Both options are available 24/7

  2. Find victim support groups. There are many services set up to help people through the difficulties of being defrauded. We've listed resources you can access here

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Tide Platform Limited (Tide) designs and operates the Tide website and app. Tide is not a bank. Tide is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 under firm reference number 900843 for the issuing of electronic money and the provision of payment initiation services and account information services under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. Tide is also authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its credit and insurance broking activities (firm reference 718743). Tide is incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 09595646 and registered office at 4th Floor The Featherstone Building, 66 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AL. Tide offers bank accounts powered by ClearBank® Ltd (ClearBank) (account sort code is 04-06-05). ClearBank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 754568. Eligible deposits with ClearBank are protected up to a total of £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. For further information visit Home. ClearBank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number: 754568). Registered Address: ClearBank, Level 27, The Broadgate Tower, 20 Primrose Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2EW. Eligible deposits held in the Tide Business Current Account (powered by ClearBank) are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”) subject to eligibility. All eligible deposits at the same bank are aggregated to determine the coverage level for each depositor up to £120,000, therefore if you have any other product/services with ClearBank these will be aggregated. To find out more and to check your eligibility please visit: About us . Some of Tide’s members also hold e-money accounts powered by PrePay Technologies Limited (PPT) (account sort code is 23-69-72). PPT is an electronic money institution authorised by the FCA under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 under firm reference number 900010 for the issuing of electronic money. PPT holds an amount equivalent to the money in Tide current accounts in a safeguarding account which gives members protection against PPT’ insolvency. Tide Cards may be issued by both Tide and PPT, who are licensed by Mastercard International for the issuance of cards. The issuer of your Tide card will be identified on your monthly card statement. Tide Capital Limited is an appointed representative of P1 Investment Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 752005 to carry out such regulated activities as are involved in the provision of Tide Investment Account. Seccl Custody Limited is the custodian of assets held in Tide Investment Account and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number 793200) and registered in England and Wales under No. 10430958. Registered office 20 Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JW. Tide, the Tide logo, the Swell, and Do Less Banking are trademarks and trade names of Tide Platform Limited, and may not be used or reproduced without the consent of the owner.