Digital payments are now part of the norm. More than 80% of UK consumers use contactless at least once a week. It’s fast, simple and expected. But as payments have gone digital, so have the risks.
Last year, over 40% of UK small businesses lost money to fraud, with an average loss of around £3,800. That might not be catastrophic for a large company, but for a solo business, it can derail everything .
This guide lays out what you can do to keep payments secure. No scare tactics. No tech jargon. Just practical steps, examples that apply to real work and a look at how tools like Xiva help UK businesses stay protected.
Security isn’t just a technical job. It’s part of how you build trust with your customers.
Here are some of the most effective practices that don't require much time or money.
Never process card payments manually — it’s not worth the risk. Instead, choose a payment platform that is PCI-DSS compliant. That means it follows strict card industry rules for handling sensitive data.
Xiva, for example, is regulated by the FCA and audited to the highest security level under PCI DSS. So are Stripe, PayPal, and SumUp.
Your role is to choose the tool that handles the hard part for you.
If you take payments through your phone, tablet or laptop, those devices need to be up to date and protected.
Always make sure you aren’t the weakest link.
Mixing business and personal accounts can make it harder to track payments and spot fraud. Even if you’re a one-person operation, it helps to keep things separate.
Fraud doesn’t usually come with warning signs. It shows up in inboxes and invoices that look almost right. These are the risks that catch out small businesses most often.
24% of UK small businesses reported phishing attempts last year. That number is growing.
Scammers may send fake links that look like they’re from your bank or payment provider, or pretend to be you and send fraudulent links to your customers.
How to lower the risk:
A good payment link should include your logo or business name and always start with "https" in the browser.
Invoice fraud is one of the most damaging scams. It happens when fraudsters intercept an invoice and change the bank details. You think you're paying your supplier, but you’re sending money to a scammer.
More than half of UK small business fraud losses came from invoice scams.
To avoid it:
Even when you’re doing everything right, some customers will be cautious. That’s fair. Fraud is common, and nobody wants to take chances with their money.
Here’s how to make customers feel confident when paying you.
When you send a payment link, include a few lines of context — something like:
“Hi [Name], here’s the payment link for today’s service. It will take you to our secure checkout powered by [your provider]. You won’t need to sign up or download anything.”
If your payment app allows you to add your name or logo to the payment page, do it. The more familiar it looks, the more confident people feel using it.
Some payments will trigger an extra confirmation from the bank (this is called 3D Secure). You can let customers know in advance that this is normal and part of keeping their payment safe.
If someone doesn’t want to click a link, give them a backup: a secure bank transfer, chip-and-pin payment in person, or another official method.
Whatever you do, avoid taking card details by text, email or phone. It’s not safe, and it puts both of you at risk.
There’s no shortage of options out there. Here’s a quick look at how some common platforms compare when it comes to security and ease of use for UK small businesses:
Choose a provider that matches how you work, not just the one with the lowest fee.
Security isn’t one thing. It’s a few small habits that keep you covered.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about having a system that works even when you’re busy.
Scams will keep evolving, but your approach doesn’t need to be complicated. A few clear tools and consistent habits, and the right provider can protect your business and keep things moving.
If you’re looking for something that’s simple, secure and built with UK small businesses in mind, Xiva is one to consider. It handles the security, shows your customers a clean checkout, and sends the money to your account by the next working day.
But even if you use another platform, the steps are the same. Make it easy, make it safe, and make it clear.
Your reputation is built on trust. So is your payment process.
Start your business and payments journey with Xiva.
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