Payments, Deposits and Record Keeping

This guide is intended as general information for adults. Individual circumstances and applicable rules can differ. Take time to make informed decisions, protect your privacy and seek qualified independent advice where appropriate.

Put terms in writing

Before any payment, make sure the amount, purpose, recipient, timing and refund conditions are clear. Confirm who is responsible for handling funds and how a cancellation is treated. Avoid ambiguous requests or last-minute changes to payment details.

Recognise common fraud signals

Be cautious of overpayments, requests to return money to a different account, gift-card or cryptocurrency demands, suspicious payment screenshots and links asking you to log in. Verify incoming funds through your own banking app rather than relying on a screenshot or email.

Keep accurate records

Record dates, amounts, fees, refunds and business expenses. Store records securely and limit access. Understand that tax and reporting obligations depend on your circumstances; seek qualified advice rather than relying on informal online claims.

Resolve disputes safely

Use the agreed written process and keep relevant correspondence. Do not disclose banking credentials or one-time codes to resolve a payment issue. If you suspect fraud, contact your bank through an independently verified channel.