If You've Been Scammed
If you have made a payment in response to a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible as they may be able to recover some of your money and will refund you in certain circumstances. You can find more information about asking your bank for help to get your money back in our reimbursement toolkit.
To report and get advice on scams, please see the numbers below, specific to your country.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger because of a scam (for example, being threatened by an aggressive doorstep caller), call the Police on 999.
Where To Get Help
In this section you will find contact details and links to websites that can help further in relation to all types of scams. You can use this information to talk to your family and friends, report scams to the relevant authority and to access advice and guidance.
Initial Reporting And Advice
If you have made a payment in response to a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible as they may be able to recover some of your money and will refund you in certain circumstances. You can find more information about asking your bank for help to get your money back in our reimbursement toolkit.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger because of a scam (for example, being threatened by an aggressive doorstep caller), call the Police on 999.
England And Wales
REPORT: Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime where you should report fraud if you have spotted a scam or have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber-crime.
You can visit the website (www.actionfraud.police.uk) or call Action Fraud on 0300 123 20 40.
ADVICE: Citizens Advice Consumer Service
Citizens Advice Consumer Service can offer support if you or someone you know has been scammed. They will give you advice on what to do next.
You can visit the website (www.citizensadvice.org.uk) or call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for a Welsh-speaking advisor.
Scotland
REPORT: Police Or Advice Direct Scotland
Call Police Scotland on 101 or contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or on their website (www.advice.scot).
ADVICE: Scotland’s Citizens Advice Helpline
You can call Scotland’s Citizens Advice Helpline on 0800 028 1456, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Northern Ireland
REPORT: Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime where you should report fraud if you have spotted a scam or have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber-crime.
You can visit the website (www.actionfraud.police.uk) or call Action Fraud on 0300 123 20 40.
ADVICE: Consumerline
Consumerline helps you avoid scams, dodgy deals, make a complaint and stay informed with consumer law. Contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.
Suspicious Emails
If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS):
The message might be from a company you don’t normally receive communications from, or someone you do not know. You may just have a hunch. If you are suspicious, you should report it.
Your report of a phishing email will help the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to act quickly, protecting many more people from being affected.
You can read more at the National Cyber Security Centre website.
Reporting Spam Text Messages
You can report spam text messages to your mobile phone provider free of charge by forwarding the text message to 7726. You may get an automated response thanking you for the report giving you further instructions if needed.
Extra Information & Resources
Campaign
Take Five is a national campaign that offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud.
Initiative
A Scam Marshal is any resident in the UK who has been targeted by a scam and now wants to fight back and take a stand against scams.
News
Keep up to date with the latest scams sign up to receive them via email here!
Campaign
A Government awareness campaign giving you the knowledge and tools you need to stay ahead of scams.
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