If you have been the victim of fraud or spotted a scam it is important to report it. Reporting fraud helps protect others, may help you recover money and provides law enforcement with intelligence to catch criminals. Here is exactly who to contact and what to expect.
Report Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Report here first for all types of fraud.
Phone: 0300 123 2040 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)
Online: reportfraud.police.uk
You will receive: A crime reference number
Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred or card details stolen. Call the number on the back of your card.
Do this first if money was taken — speed is crucial for recovery
Ask for: Fraud team, account freeze, chargeback or APP fraud claim
Report to the ICO if your personal data was misused, if an organisation refused your GDPR request or if you received unlawful marketing.
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Online: ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint
Report unauthorised financial firms, investment scams and clone firm fraud to the FCA.
Phone: 0800 111 6768
Online: fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-us
Report fake HMRC communications and tax fraud directly to HMRC.
Phishing emails: phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
Scam texts: Forward to 60599
Online: gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing
Report phishing websites, suspicious emails and cybercrime to the National Cyber Security Centre.
Phishing emails: report@phishing.gov.uk
Online: report.ncsc.gov.uk
Scam texts — forward to 7726 (spells SPAM). This is free on all networks and reports the number to your provider.
Scam calls — report to Report Fraud and to the ICO at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/nuisance-calls-and-messages
Suspicious numbers — report to Silent Guard at silenterase.com/silent-guard to help protect other UK residents.
Report Fraud assesses all reports and passes relevant intelligence to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and local police forces. You will receive a crime reference number which you need for insurance claims and bank disputes. Not all reports lead to individual investigations but all reports contribute to the intelligence picture that helps law enforcement tackle fraud networks.
Recovery of money lost to fraud depends on the type of fraud and how quickly you report. Unauthorised card fraud — where your card was used without permission — is almost always refunded. APP fraud — where you were tricked into transferring money — is now covered by mandatory reimbursement rules up to £85,000 for most cases. Online purchase fraud is recoverable via Section 75 or chargeback if you paid by card.
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