Paying for something else
If you've been asked to pay an account you're not sure about — friend's reference, charity ask, urgent request — verify first.
In 2025, over £1.2 billion was stolen by fraudsters in the UK, according to UK Finance. Verify before you pay.
What we check
5 checks across the UK's most-trusted data sources, run in under 30 seconds.
Confirmation of Payee
Bank account matches the payee name
Companies House
Company registered & active
VAT verification
VAT number valid
DVLA Vehicle Check
Make, year, tax & MOT status
Seller Reviews
Reputation on Google, Trustpilot & more
Most scams rely on time pressure. Five minutes spent confirming the account name is a fair trade for the cost of getting it wrong.
Tips before you transfer
Run Confirmation of Payee on the account
Whatever the context, the bank account should be in the name you expect. A mismatch is reason enough to pause.
Verify any urgent request out-of-band
If the ask came by email or text, ring the person directly using a number you already have. Don't reply to the channel that contacted you.
Be sceptical of unexpected payment requests
Real people don't usually need money urgently by bank transfer from a number you've never used. Treat surprise asks as suspect.
Pay the smallest amount possible to test
For a new account where you're uncertain, send £1 first, confirm out-of-band, then send the balance.
Common scam patterns
- 'Family member in trouble' / 'stranded abroad' impersonation
- Romance scams asking for a one-off transfer that turns into many
- Fake charity collections after a public disaster
- Investment 'opportunities' requiring urgent transfer to a personal account
Frequently asked
- How do I check if a seller on Something else is genuine?
- Run the bank account they've given you through Confirmation of Payee — a mismatch between the account holder name and the seller is the strongest fraud signal you'll get. If they're trading as a company, cross-check the number against Companies House and confirm any VAT number with HMRC. All three checks run in under a minute at whoamipaying?.
- What are the biggest scams on Something else?
- 'Family member in trouble' / 'stranded abroad' impersonation. Romance scams asking for a one-off transfer that turns into many These patterns show up on almost every UK marketplace — the platform-specific twist is usually how the seller pressures you off-platform or asks for direct bank transfer.
- Is it safe to pay by bank transfer on Something else?
- Bank transfer offers no built-in buyer protection — once the money's sent it's rarely recoverable, even if fraud is proven later. If you have to use it, verify the payee bank account matches the seller's name first. For higher-value items, use a card or an escrow service so Section 75 / chargeback rights apply.
- What should I do if I've already paid a scammer?
- Contact your bank immediately to attempt a recall on the transfer, then report the fraud to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk) and to the platform. The faster you act, the higher the chance your bank can freeze the funds under the Contingent Reimbursement Model.
- Does whoamipaying? cost anything to try?
- The first check is £2.50 with no account required. Multi-check packs bring the cost down to £1.43 per check, and business accounts get volume rates from around £0.70. There's no subscription — you top up when you need to.
Related reading
Verify before you transfer
Enter the bank details from the invoice and we'll show you what we can verify in seconds. No account needed to pay.
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