How to Report a Scam in the UK
If you have been targeted by a scam, reporting it quickly can help protect your money and stop others falling victim. The right place to report depends on where you live and what kind of scam it is, so this guide brings the main routes together in one place.
At a glance
- England, Wales & NI
- Action Fraud (0300 123 2040)
- Scotland
- Report to Police Scotland on 101
- Scam texts
- Forward to 7726
- Phishing emails
- Forward to report@phishing.gov.uk
Reporting is the first step, not the last one. This builds the full sequence for what has happened to you, including who else needs telling and what each of them will ask for.
🛡️ Build your recovery plan
Tick what applies to you. The order below is deliberate — most of these organisations will ask for your Action Fraud reference number, so doing it in this sequence saves you making the same call twice.
Nothing ticked yet — the steps below are the ones that apply to everyone. Tick a box above to add the rest.
- 1
Report it to Action Fraud and get your crime reference number
Action Fraud — the national reporting centre for fraud
- Onlinereportfraud.police.uk
- Phone0300 123 2040
Do this second, and do it before you contact anyone else. Almost every organisation in this list — lenders, credit reference agencies, debt collectors — will ask for the crime reference number Action Fraud gives you, and without it you end up making the same call twice. It also creates the official record you'll rely on if you have to dispute anything later. Expect an update within 28 working days, though that's about the investigation, not about clearing your name; that part is on you and starts now.
Have ready: What happened and roughly when · Any account or reference numbers involved
- 2
Get all three credit reports and read every line
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
- Experian0800 013 8888
- Equifax0800 014 2955
- TransUnion0330 024 7574
All three, not one. Lenders report to different agencies, so a fraudulent account can sit on one file and be invisible on the others — checking a single report is the most common way people miss the second and third account. You're looking for accounts you didn't open, searches you didn't authorise, and addresses linked to your name that you've never lived at. That last one matters more than it sounds: a linked address you don't recognise is often how the fraud was set up in the first place.
Have ready: Your addresses for the last six years
- 3
Add a CIFAS protective registration
CIFAS — the UK fraud prevention service
- Onlinecifas.org.uk
- Phone0330 460 9601
This puts a warning flag against your name in the National Fraud Database, so member organisations run extra identity checks before granting credit in your name. It costs £30 and lasts two years. It does not affect your credit score, and it doesn't touch accounts you already hold — but it will make your own applications slower, which is the trade-off. If someone has your details, that's usually a trade worth making. Note that not every application is checked against the database, so treat it as a strong deterrent rather than a lock.
- 4
Check you're on the electoral register at the right address
Your local council
A quick one that's worth doing while you're here. The electoral roll is one of the main ways lenders confirm you live where you say you do, and being missing from it both weakens your own applications and makes it easier for someone to claim your identity elsewhere.
- 5
Escalate if you get nowhere
Financial Ombudsman Service, or the ICO
- Financial Ombudsman0800 023 4567
- ICOico.org.uk
If a bank refuses to refund you, or a lender won't remove an entry it has accepted is fraudulent, complain to the firm first and give it eight weeks. After that — or as soon as you get a final response — take it to the Financial Ombudsman. It's free and its decisions bind the firm. Where the argument is specifically about inaccurate data staying on your credit file, the Information Commissioner's Office can also look at it. Both routes cost you nothing.
- 6
Close the door behind you
You
Change passwords on your email account first, not your banking — email is the master key, because it's where password resets land. Turn on two-factor authentication wherever it's offered. If documents were lost or stolen, report the passport or driving licence to the issuing body so it can be flagged. And set a reminder to re-check your credit reports in three months: fraudulent applications sometimes surface long after the original breach.
Contact details and process reflect Action Fraud, CIFAS, the credit reference agencies and National Debtline guidance for England and Wales. Scotland reports fraud through Police Scotland on 101 rather than Action Fraud; the rest of the process is the same. General information, not legal advice — free, independent help is available from National Debtline, Citizens Advice and StepChange.
Key Takeaways
- In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report fraud and scams to Action Fraud; in Scotland, report to Police Scotland.
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 and suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, both of which are free.
- If money has left your account or your bank details are exposed, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card.
- Acting fast improves the chance of recovering money and helps authorities track down those responsible.
Where to Report a Scam First
If you have lost money or shared sensitive details, contact your bank straight away, then report the scam to the relevant national body. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland that is Action Fraud; in Scotland it is Police Scotland.
Speed matters. The sooner your bank knows, the better the chance of freezing a transfer or protecting your account, and the sooner you report, the more useful the information is to investigators.
Reporting Fraud: Action Fraud vs Police Scotland
Where you report depends on where you are in the UK.
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Report to Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report online or by phone on 0300 123 2040. Action Fraud does not investigate every case individually, but reports feed into a national picture that helps police act.
- Scotland: Action Fraud does not cover Scotland. Report scams and fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress or you are in immediate danger.
If you are ever unsure or feel at risk, 999 is always the right call for an emergency.
Reporting Scam Texts and Phishing Emails
Two simple, free tools let you report the most common scam messages:
- Scam texts: Forward the message to 7726 (which spells "SPAM" on a phone keypad). Your mobile network uses these reports to block scam numbers.
- Phishing emails: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, run by the National Cyber Security Centre. This helps get fraudulent websites taken down.
Scam messages often impersonate delivery firms, banks or Government departments. If you have received a delivery-themed message, our guides on the IPS delivery scam and similar tricks explain how they work and what to watch for.
If Your Bank Details or Money Are Involved
If you have paid a scammer or shared banking details, act quickly:
- Call your bank using the number on the back of your card, and explain what has happened. Ask them to check for fraudulent activity and, where possible, stop any pending payments.
- Ask about the reimbursement rules. Banks operate schemes to reimburse many victims of authorised push payment scams; your bank can explain how to claim.
- Consider registering with CIFAS. CIFAS runs a Protective Registration service that flags your details so lenders take extra steps to verify applications made in your name, which can help if you fear identity fraud.
If you are worried that criminals now have your account details, our guide on whether it is safe to share your sort code and account number explains what those details can and cannot be used for.
If Your Identity May Be at Risk
Scams sometimes lead to identity theft, where fraudsters use your personal information to open accounts or take out credit. If you think someone is misusing your details, our guide on what to do when someone is using your name and address fraudulently sets out the steps to take, including checking your credit report and registering with CIFAS.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been scammed on Facebook Marketplace. Where do I report it?
Report it to the platform first, then to Action Fraud (or Police Scotland if you are in Scotland). For a full walkthrough, see our guide on what to do if you get scammed on Facebook Marketplace.
Will I get my money back if I report a scam?
Not always, but reporting improves your chances. Many banks reimburse victims of authorised push payment scams, so contact your bank quickly and ask how their reimbursement process works.
Is reporting to 7726 and report@phishing.gov.uk really useful?
Yes. These reports help networks block scam numbers and get fraudulent websites removed, protecting other people even if your own case is not investigated individually. Both are free to use.
What is the difference between Action Fraud and the police?
Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, feeding intelligence to police forces. In an emergency, or in Scotland, you contact the police directly (101, or 999 in an emergency).
Being scammed can be distressing, but reporting it quickly protects both your money and other potential victims. Contact your bank first if money is involved, then report through Action Fraud or Police Scotland, and use 7726 and report@phishing.gov.uk for scam messages.
This is general information rather than personal advice. If you are affected by fraud, contact your bank and the relevant reporting body straight away, and consider free support from Citizens Advice.
Related reading
- Cost of living payment eligibility — checking it properly, not via a text link
- Unknown bank giro credit — money arriving you cannot explain
