Consumer Information
If you've reached our website, it's probably because a business that you are a customer of (such as your law firm) uses Safe Capital to request payments or bank account information from you.
We provide a trusted solution to businesses to make it easy for them to take payments securely from their clients, without having to share their bank details.
If you have received a request from a business to make a payment securely through Safe Capital, follow the instructions provided by the firm.
What is Open Banking?
Open Banking allows you to safely and securely make payments and share bank account information directly from your own banking provider.
A key advantage of Open Baking is when making payments, you are not asked to enter the bank account information of the person you are making payment to manually, this is populated automatically by the service you are using (such as Safe Capital), and you simply need to check the payment amount is correct before authorising it.
You can also find out more about open banking in the Open Banking FAQs and from independent organisations such as the Government MoneyHelper service, Which? and Money Saving Expert.
Is Open Banking safe?
Open Banking uses the same technology that your Online or Mobile Banking App does, so it's just as safe.
When completing an Open Banking transaction nobody (such as Safe Capital or your law firm) gets access to your bank login details or passwords.
You enter your login details directly into your bank's system (online website application or mobile banking app) and the bank simply confirms who you are before you then go ahead to authorise the Open Banking transaction.
You are in complete control of what information you share and what payments you authorise at all times.
What is Email Modification Fraud?
The fraudster's objective is to fool the recipient into performing certain action - for example revealing sensitive information or transferring funds to a false bank account.
What is Friday Afternoon Fraud?
It’s called Friday Afternoon Fraud, because this type of fraud is seen most often in conveyancing transactions - with attempts mostly taking place on Friday afternoons - the most common time for completions.
INVOLVED IN A LEGAL MATTER? YOU MAY BE AT RISK OF FRAUD!
If you are involved in a legal transaction (especially if you are moving house) - be highly suspicious if you get an email, call or text that seems to be from your lawyer but is pressuring you to do something quickly. Especially if the sender/caller:
- wants you to send them money urgently and is providing you with bank details - a law firm will never email you with a set of bank details; or
- is telling you about a change in bank details - a law firm will never change its bank details during the course of a transaction.
Take the time to consider if this is a fraud attempt, and if you think it might be, contact your lawyer (using the contact details from your engagement letter) before doing anything else.
Action Fraud
Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.
Stop
Stop and think before parting with your money or information - taking a moment could keep you safe.
Challenge
Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect
Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
