Bizum scams

23/04/2026

Scams involving Bizum payments exploit users’ trust and the immediacy of the service to steal money. Although Bizum is convenient because it is easy to use and processes payments instantly, these same advantages can make it appealing to scammers. That’s why we need to stay on our guard.

We have already covered potential Bizum scamsAbre en ventana nueva in a previous post. However, these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Scammers use social engineering techniques to trick victims, who may not detect the scam until it is too late.

One of the most frequent is the so-called “reverse Bizum” scam.  The scammer poses as a potential buyer, but instead of making a payment, they send a money request. If you accept the notification, you are actually transferring money to the scammer.

Another method is the fake refund scam. You may receive an SMS or Bizum notification saying that money was sent to you by mistake and asking you to return it. You accept the request without checking that the transfer actually arrived, and that the amount requested matches the amount received. Scammers take advantage of how straightforward the process is and of people’s tendency to trust that requests are genuine.

In some situations, money paid into your account may come from an account that has already been compromised. Even if the transfer appears to be a genuine refund, it is important to be cautious. If you receive an unexpected Bizum payment, contact your bank before moving the money or sending it back. Although checking with your bank may take a little longer, you must make sure the payment is genuine.

New technologies make many tasks easier, but they also require us to stay alert and take precautions to avoid being caught out:

• Receiving money through Bizum does not require you to confirm anything. When someone sends you money through Bizum, it is paid into your account automatically. If you are asked to confirm anything, be cautious: you are probably authorising a payment, not receiving one.
• Always check notifications carefully and read every alert in full before approving any action in the app.
• Be extra careful if you do not know the recipient, or if someone tries to rush you into sending money quickly by saying it is an emergency.
• If you receive an unexpected Bizum payment, contact your bank straight away.
• If you fall victim to a scam, report it to the National Police or the Civil Guard and gather as much evidence as you can, such as screenshots and any phone numbers involved.