Nationwide has launched a new service to help protect its members from falling victim to authorised push payment (APP) scams.

The society’s ‘Scam Checker Service’ would allow members to check a payment they are worried about by calling a freephone number or visiting a branch. A Nationwide colleague would then talk with members about the nature of the payment and discuss if there are any concerns with proceeding.

Analysis from the society has suggested that speaking to members before they make a payment could help identify and stop up to two thirds (65%) of attempted scams each year.

Members who do fall victim to an APP scam after being given the go ahead to make the payment will be refunded in full under a new ‘Scam Protection Promise’, the society confirmed. This new service is to work alongside existing fraud and scam prevention measures.

Nationwide chief executive, Joe Garner, commented: “Success is not just ensuring victims are reimbursed – but also preventing these crimes happening in the first place. That’s why we are introducing our scam checker service to help prevent our members being scammed.

“We're also calling on the big tech, telecoms and social media companies that play host to these crimes to take more responsibility for stopping them. We must work better together in the mutual interest of fighting this criminal activity.”

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