How do I check a payment request via PayShap before approving it?

When a Payment Request comes in, you will receive an app notification pop-up. Open the request in your banking app and read three things before you tap approve: who it is from, the amount and the reference. Nothing leaves your account until you authorise the payment, so you have time to check it properly. If anything looks off, reject it.

What to check before approving a PayShap Payment Request

Start with the sender. The request shows who is asking you for money, so make sure it is a name you recognise and were expecting. Next, check the amount and confirm it matches what you actually owe, since figures and limits can vary. Then read the reference, which should tell you what the payment is for. A real request from a friend makes sense on all three. A suspicious one rarely does.

If a PayShap Payment Request doesn’t add up

You are never obliged to approve a payment request via PayShap. There is no penalty for rejecting one and no need to explain yourself, so if the name, amount or reference is wrong, reject it and the request goes away. Ignore it and nothing happens either. If you are unsure, ask the person directly through a channel you trust before you approve, because you can't reverse a PayShap instant payment once you authorise it.

Learn more about sending and receiving PayShap Payment Requests.