Fake Barclays credit card approval scam text

What is this scam?

Scam texts from spoofed numbers inform recipients that a credit card application for £1,500 has been approved in their name. Victims who did not apply are prompted to call a fraudulent 'fraud prevention' number to dispute the application, where scammers harvest personal details and banking credentials. This variant differs from the earlier Barclays direct debit scam (May 2026) — rather than referencing an outgoing payment, it exploits fear of a fraudulent account being opened in the victim's name.

Example scam message

Red flags to look out for

• The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
• Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
• You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
• It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
• The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.

What to do if you receive this

1. Do not transfer money — your bank will never ask you to move funds to a 'safe account'.
2. Hang up and call your bank directly on the number printed on the back of your card.
3. Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
4. If you've already transferred money, contact your bank immediately and ask about the APP fraud refund scheme.