Reporting fraud

Whether you’ve seen something suspicious or been a victim of fraud, you should always report it. Providing details of what happened will help the police crack down on the criminals and could prevent the same thing happening to others.

On this page:

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

How to report fraud

Report to Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you’ve been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime, report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Find out more about what you’ll need to report and what happens after you report.

Report to Police Scotland

In Scotland, all reports of fraud and any other financial crime should be reported to Police Scotland by calling 101.

Tell your bank

If you’ve lost money or you think a fraudster has access to your bank account, tell your bank or payment service provider as soon as possible, so they can protect your account and help you get your money back.

Always contact them directly using a known email or phone number, such as the ones shown on their website or the back of your card, or call 159.

Tell other relevant organisations

You should also contact any other relevant organisation to let them know what happened and ask for it to be investigated, for example:

• an organisation whose name was falsely used in the fraud (such as an energy provider or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)
• the platform where it occurred (such as Facebook or Google)

How to report suspicious activity:
emails, text messages, phone calls, adverts or websites

If you’ve seen or received a suspicious email, phone call, message, social media advert or website, but you haven’t lost money or responded to it, here’s how to report it.

By reporting suspicious activity, you could help the authorities to remove it and prevent others from becoming a victim of fraud.

Received a suspicious email?

What to do

Before you delete the email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk

Why report it?

You could help stop criminal activity and prevent others becoming a victim of fraud.

Received a suspicious phone call or text message?

What to do

Report suspicious phone calls and text messages free of charge to 7726.

To report a phone call, simply send a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the scam caller’s number.

To report a text message :

  • press and hold the message until the option to ‘Forward’ appears
  • when the ‘To’ field appears, type the number 7726
  • press send
  • once you’ve sent it, you’ll receive a reply asking you to reply with the scam texter’s number – which you’re safe to do

To report a message received via a messaging app:

  • block the number
  • use the app’s reporting feature to notify the platform about the suspicious message

Why report it?

Your phone or messaging service provider can find out where the text or call came from and block or ban the sender if it’s found to be malicious.

Spotted a fake online advert?

What to do

Report the fake advert to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

You may also be able to report on the platform where you saw it.

Why report it?

The ASA shares any information gathered with key partners, including all major social media platforms and ad networks in the UK, so that fake ads are taken down and the information used to stop similar ads appearing.

Spotted a fake website?

What to do

Report suspicious websites to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It’s free of charge and only takes a minute.

Why report it?

The NCSC has the power to investigate and remove fraudulent websites. By reporting suspicious websites you can help the NCSC stop cyber criminals and protect others online.

Received something suspicious in the post?

What to do

Contact Royal Mail, who deal with postal fraud. You can:

Why report it?

Royal Mail can work with the relevant authorities to investigate and take action.

Why report fraud?

Find out how reporting can help us fight back and protect others from fraud.

What happens after you report fraud?

Find out what happens behind the scenes when you report fraud.

If you’ve seen something that doesn’t feel right, STOP!