Report fraud and scams
Report fraud and scams
If you have become a victim of a scam or fraud
Please remember that you have not been targeted personally. Scam letters, e-mails, telephone calls and faxes are sent out in their thousands daily to individuals and companies worldwide.
If you have become a victim of fraud, please report it online or by phone to Action Fraud.
What is Action Fraud?
Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud reporting centre and the place for you to report fraud and scams, or to get advice if you're not sure what to do.
Action Fraud is available 24 hours a day - members of the public can complete a fraud report at Action Fraud online and gain practical advice on fraud prevention. For those without online access Action Fraud advisers are available by phoning the reporting line: 0300 123 2040.
If you've been a victim of fraud, you can report it to Action Fraud online using the secure online fraud reporting tool. You'll be given a crime reference number and your case will be referred on to the police force that investigates fraud.
Why contact Action Fraud?
Sometimes people choose not to report fraud because they are embarrassed that they fell for a scam.
Remember that fraud is a crime and that fraudsters will constantly reinvent themselves to find new ways of tricking people. Anyone could be a victim.
Some people also think that fraud is a victimless crime, or that it's not as serious as other crimes. This is not true. Fraudsters are often part of serious organised criminal gangs, who use the money to fund other crimes such as human trafficking, illegal firearms trade and terrorism.
Fraudsters rely on silence. We can beat fraud if we talk.
Top 5 tips to prevent fraud
1. Do not give any personal information (name, address,
bank details, email or phone number) to organisations or people
before verifying their credentials.
2. Many frauds start with an email. Remember that banks and
financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to
click on a link and confirm your bank details. Always question
whether an email could be bogus.
3. Destroy and preferably shred receipts with your card
details on and post with your name and address on. Identity
fraudsters don't need much information in order to be able to clone
your identity.
4. If you have been a victim of fraud, be aware of fraud
recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters pretend to be a lawyer or a
law enforcement officer and tell you they can help you recover the
money you've already lost.
5. To report fraud or if you need advice, visit Action
Fraud's website.
Visit Action Fraud's website for more information, including advice and information about fraud.
Identity theft
You'll find information on identity theft and how to protect yourself in our section on Crime prevention.