To report a scam in the UK, contact the bank immediately if money or account access is involved, then use the relevant police reporting route. Report Fraud serves England, Wales and Northern Ireland. People in Scotland should contact Police Scotland on 101. Keep receipts, messages, and a timeline that separates each payment from later requests.
Reporting a crime and seeking reimbursement are separate actions. The bank needs the payment details and an accurate description of who initiated it. The police reporting route needs the incident account and evidence. A useful working record keeps those requests apart, including the date, recipient organisation, and any reference received after making each report or claim.
Where to report a scam in the UK
Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025 and provides an online route or telephone reporting on 0300 123 2040. The official service notice confirms its geographical scope and directs Scottish reports to Police Scotland. Use the current service directly instead of relying on a telephone number supplied in an unsolicited message about a supposed existing case.
Before completing a report, arrange the events in chronological order: initial contact, promise, payment, and later communication. This suggested method helps distinguish the sender’s claims from facts shown on a statement. Keep the claimed organisation name separate from the recipient details on the receipt, particularly where a genuine business or agency may have been impersonated by someone else.
How to report a scam in the UK involving a bank
Ofcom advises contacting the bank through the number on the card, the official website or app, or 159 where the bank supports it. Describe each payment and any shared credentials. The phone verification guide explains the broader problem with trusting caller ID. A familiar displayed number should not replace an independent check of the person requesting money or information.
The PSR’s reimbursement guidance covers eligible UK bank transfers over Faster Payments or CHAPS made from 7 October 2024. Claims should be reported promptly and within 13 months. The maximum mandatory claim amount is £85,000. An optional excess of up to £100 can apply, with protections for vulnerable consumers and exceptions that depend on the circumstances of the claim.
Reimbursement is normally expected within five business days, with permitted pauses for information gathering and an outcome within 35 business days. The rules distinguish APP fraud from unauthorised transactions and civil disputes. Complicity and gross negligence can affect eligibility, with the gross negligence exception excluded for vulnerable consumers. Ask the provider to explain its assessment and reasons for its decision.
Card payments and other reimbursement routes
Citizens Advice explains that the recovery route depends on what happened and how payment was made. Chargeback can apply to some purchases, while qualifying credit purchases may have Section 75 protection. Keep the item price, payment method, and promised delivery details together. Do not treat the bank transfer rules as the test for every disputed card or wallet transaction.
A person preparing to report a scam in the UK can keep a claim log alongside the crime report: payment identified, provider contacted, evidence submitted, and response received. This is a suggested organisational method. A written decision belongs beside the original claim so later follow-up can address the actual reason given rather than repeat the whole incident without a focus.
Suspicious calls, texts and emails
Ofcom’s response guidance says suspicious texts can be forwarded to 7726 free of charge, and suspicious call numbers can also be reported through that route. GOV.UK directs suspicious emails to [email protected]. Preserve the useful details before deleting messages. Reporting a communication to a provider should not delay the bank conversation when money moved or someone else accessed an account.
| Concern | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Fraud in England, Wales or Northern Ireland | Report Fraud |
| Fraud in Scotland | Police Scotland, 101 |
| Suspicious SMS | Forward to 7726 |
| Suspicious email | [email protected] |
| Disputed payment | Bank or payment provider |
Investment checks before another payment
The FCA Warning List identifies firms and individuals the regulator has warned about. Absence from the list does not establish safety. Check the FCA Firm Checker for authorisation and the relevant permissions. Compare the genuine firm’s contact details with the approach received instead of assuming that a matching name proves the message came from the authorised organisation or its employees.
Review recovery offer warning signs before responding to a promise of help after a loss. Keep the original incident separate from any later request for payment. If another national system applies, the Canadian reporting guide and Australian reporting guide identify local starting points. A cross-border case should record the account and payment route without assuming another country’s reimbursement rules apply.
Prepare supporting records before follow-up
Before helping someone report a scam in the UK, make a short index of the relevant documents. Keep the original solicitation, each transaction receipt, and the bank’s response in separate entries. This suggested structure makes later questions easier to answer and helps distinguish a direct observation from a claim made by the person requesting payment.
Someone planning to report a scam in the UK should label the payment route precisely. Record the provider, date, recipient details, and whether the payment was personally entered. Keep card purchases separate from transfers and cash payments. This suggested record supports a focused discussion of the actual transaction rather than an assumption that all losses receive identical treatment.
Questions and answers
Which service handles fraud reports in England and Wales?
Report Fraud is the current police reporting service for fraud and cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its official website provides the reporting route, and the telephone number is 0300 123 2040. Contact the bank separately about any payment.
Where should a person in Scotland report fraud?
The Report Fraud service directs people affected by fraud or cyber crime in Scotland to Police Scotland on 101. Keep payment records and messages for the report. A bank should also be contacted promptly if money was sent or account access was compromised.
Is forwarding a text to 7726 free?
Yes. GOV.UK says forwarding suspicious text messages to 7726 is free and reports the message to the mobile provider. Do not click the message's links or supply account details. Reporting the text is separate from reporting a financial loss to the bank.
Does 159 work for every bank?
Ofcom advises calling 159 if the bank supports it. Alternatively, use the number printed on the card or contact the bank through its official app or website. Do not use a number supplied by the suspicious caller to verify that same caller.
Does every payment qualify for APP reimbursement?
No. The PSR describes protections for eligible UK transfers over Faster Payments or CHAPS from 7 October 2024. Other payment types have separate protections, and exceptions apply. Ask the provider to assess the actual payment rather than assuming any scam loss is covered.
Can a firm be unsafe without appearing on the Warning List?
Yes. The FCA explicitly warns that a firm absent from its Warning List may still be unauthorised or a scam. Check authorisation and the permission for the offered service through the FCA Firm Checker, then verify that contact details match the genuine firm.
Can card payments have different recovery routes?
Citizens Advice explains that chargeback may help with goods not received. A qualifying credit card purchase costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 may support a Section 75 claim. The provider should assess the payment and applicable conditions.
Where should a suspicious email be forwarded?
GOV.UK directs suspicious emails to [email protected] for the National Cyber Security Centre to investigate. Avoid opening attachments or following links in a questionable message. If the email also caused a payment or account compromise, take the relevant banking and reporting steps separately.
Sources
- Report Fraud service goes live · Report Fraud
- APP fraud reimbursement protections · Payment Systems Regulator
- What to do about a scam call, text or message · Ofcom
- Warning List of unauthorised firms · Financial Conduct Authority
- Check if you can get your money back after a scam · Citizens Advice
- Report internet scams and phishing · GOV.UK