Need help? Report a scam & find support

One step at a time

Start with these steps

You can act even if you’re not yet sure it was a scam. If money or bank details are involved, contact your bank immediately.

Pause the conversation
Stop replying, sending money or sharing information. Don’t follow further links or instructions from the person contacting you. Pressure to act quickly is a reason to pause and check independently.
Contact your bank
If you sent money or shared bank or card details, tell your bank or payment provider straight away. Use the number on your card or statement, or your bank’s own app. Don’t use contact details supplied by the suspected scammer.
Read the FCA’s guidance
Secure affected accounts
Change any exposed password and change it wherever else you used it. If you’re locked out, use the service’s official account-recovery process. For a work device or account, contact your IT team.
NCSC: protecting your information
Keep a record
Save messages, dates, payment references and any contact details already available to you. Keep them somewhere safe for your bank or the police. Don’t contact the scammer again to collect more evidence.
Use our Scam Incident Log Sheet

UK Government guidance

Stop! Think Fraud

Stop! Think Fraud is the UK Government’s national fraud-awareness campaign. It brings together practical guidance to help you recognise scams, protect yourself, report fraud and find support. Take time to pause and check a request before sharing money or information.

Campaign guidance checked 7 November 2026.

Official reporting routes

Where to report a scam

These routes follow the official services signposted by Stop! Think Fraud. Choose the one that fits what happened and where you live; Report Fraud and Police Scotland receive crime reports.

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

Report Fraud

Report fraud and cyber crime through the official Report Fraud service, online or by phone.

Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. The reporting phone number remains 0300 123 2040.

Scotland

Police Scotland

If you live in Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland on 101. Their website also explains the available reporting and accessibility options.

Suspicious emails

Forward the email

Forward a suspicious email to report@phishing.gov.uk for the National Cyber Security Centre to assess. Avoid opening attachments or following links in the message.

Suspicious texts & calls

Report to 7726

Forward suspicious texts to 7726, free of charge. To report a suspicious mobile call, send a text to 7726 containing the word “Call” and the caller’s number. Don’t reply to the suspected scammer or follow their links.

For messages in an app, use the app’s reporting feature and block the sender.

How to report texts, calls and app messages

Suspicious websites

Report it to the NCSC

Use the NCSC’s official form to report a suspicious website address. You don’t need to open the site to report it.

Open the NCSC reporting form

Reporting a suspicious message or website helps tackle scams, but does not replace reporting a crime if you have lost money or an account has been hacked.

When you’re ready

What to have ready

A short account of what happened and when.
Messages, email addresses, phone numbers or website addresses already available to you.
Payment details and references, if money was involved.
Any existing report or bank reference number.

Keep original evidence safely. Don’t delay contacting your bank while you gather everything, and don’t share passwords or PINs. Provide sensitive details only through a verified official service.

Your next questions

What happens after I report?

Report Fraud analyses reports to identify connections and decide whether information can be passed to a police force for investigation. Not every report leads to an investigation, and Report Fraud cannot recover money for you. Keep your report reference and update your report if you have more information.

Read about the reporting process

Can I get my money back?

Tell your bank or payment provider immediately and ask what can be done about the payment. The options depend on how you paid and what happened; recovery is not guaranteed. You don’t need to wait for a police report before contacting your bank.

FCA advice after a scam

Can I report a scam to BeScamAware?

BeScamAware cannot take an official crime report, investigate an incident or provide an emergency response. Use the reporting services on this page. Sharing an experience for awareness is separate from reporting it to the police.

A little help getting organised

Use our printable resources to work through your next steps and record what happened.

Look after yourself, too

Scams can leave you feeling upset, embarrassed or overwhelmed. Talk to someone you trust. Stop! Think Fraud explains how to find practical and emotional support, with separate information for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

STOP. CHECK. ASK. MONITOR.

A simple habit to stay safer from scams.

STOP

Pause contact and don’t send more money or information.

CHECK

Use independently verified details for your bank and reporting services.

ASK

Talk to someone you trust and get support.

MONITOR

Watch affected accounts and keep your reporting references safe.

Learn about Stop · Check · Ask · Monitor

Sources & guidance

Core reporting contacts checked 6 November 2026. Reporting services can change; check the linked official sites for their latest information and accessibility options.

View the sources used for this page

Originally published 27 November 2024 · Updated 7 November 2026