Bank payments could be delayed by up to three days under new rules that would give banks more time to investigate potential fraud. The Government said it was proposing laws that will extend the time that payments can be stalled by up to 72 hours.

High street banks handed new powers by the Treasury to delay and investigate payments suspected of being fraudulent under the Labour Party government.

Banks could be given extra time to investigate suspicious payments under an effort to curb fraud. The Treasury said proposed new laws would enable banks to pause transactions for up to 72 hours where there are reasonable grounds to suspect a payment is fraudulent.

Warning over three-day delayed bank payments under new rules - A bank currenlty has until the end of the next business day to either process of refuse a payment

Bank payments could be delayed by three days under new anti-fraud rules - The Government said it was proposing laws that will extend the time that payments can be stalled by up to 72 hours.