Barclays issues urgent warning to all UK customers over 'direct debit refund'

Temie Laleye
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:06:38 +0000

Barclays has alerted all UK customers to be wary of "free money" scams and fraudulent direct debit refund schemes currently circulating across social media platforms.

The banking giant posted the warning on its Instagram account, urging people to remain alert when browsing online content.

According to the bank, key warning signs include promises of free cash or any claims that appear excessively generous.

"Remember to watch out for red flags, like being offered 'free money' or any other claims that feel too good to be true," Barclays stated in its social media post.

The lender emphasised that such offers frequently turn out to be fraudulent schemes designed to deceive customers.

To illustrate how these scams typically work, Barclays published a demonstration video featuring a staff member playing the role of a fraudster.

In the clip, the employee tells viewers: "You can claim back thousands from your direct debits. I can show you how to get it refunded."

The staged presentation is then interrupted by a colleague, who explains the purpose of the demonstration.

"If you're still watching, that means you might need to learn about how to spot a direct debit scam," the Barclays employee said. "Videos like this, where someone offers you something that's too good to be true, are often fraud."

The bank's guidance urges customers to block any accounts posting such content as the most effective form of protection.

"Remember to never share your bank details with a stranger," the Barclays employee advised in the video. "And if you see videos like this on your feed, remember to ignore them, block them, and move on."

Barclays stressed that criminals often attempt to present themselves as trustworthy sources, making vigilance essential.

The bank encouraged anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim to fraud to get in touch immediately.

Further guidance on recognising common scams and protecting oneself is available through the Barclays website.

Beyond social media scams, Barclays highlighted several other fraud methods customers should recognise.

Phishing attacks involve criminals sending emails, text messages or making calls while pretending to represent trusted organisations such as banks or the police.

The bank also warned about social engineering tactics, describing these as techniques where fraudsters manipulate people into revealing confidential information that can later be used against them.

Mobile malware represents another threat, with criminals concealing harmful software within apps and updates that can steal personal details and passwords once installed.

Anyone who loses money or notices suspicious transactions should contact their bank without delay, report the incident to Action Fraud, and change any compromised passwords.