Spotted a Scam?
Latest Pledge
"To encourage someone you know to visit the Friends Against Scams website".
Extra 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.
What to do if you’ve spotted a suspicious email
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 here.
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.
Useful Friends Against Scams materials
Scams protection guide
Are you or your loved ones being targeted by scams? Help to manage finances and avoid scams for people at risk and those who support them.
This guide has been created to provide information to individuals and their loved ones to help protect them from scams. It suggests measures that can be put in place to help prevent criminals from making contact, such as the use of call blockers and the mail redirection service. It also provides information on managing finances to reduce the risk of scams, such as implementing a Lasting Power of Attorney.
You can download the guide here.
Fortnightly Scam Alert
A fortnightly Scam Alert of news articles over the previous two weeks that anyone can sign up to receive.
To view the latest Scam Alert and to subscribe, click here.
Further reading and consumer advice
Take Five to stop fraud
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provide information and support for those who have been scammed or are concerned about scams:
- Check if something might be a scam
- Check if you can get your money back after a scam
- What to do if you've been scammed
- Report a scam
- Get emotional support if you’ve been scammed
- Get help with online scams
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cybercrime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
View their A-Z of fraud here.
Talking to scam victims
If you feel comfortable, you could approach a potential scam victim yourself.
When talking to them, here are some suggested guidelines that you could follow:
- Spend time listening to the individual; do not judge them.
- Present them with different options, but allow and encourage them to make their own choices.
- Refrain from getting frustrated, interrupting them or finishing their sentences.
- Don't force the issue, it's important to remember that scam victims might not always be receptive to talking about their experiences.
- Sign up to be a Scam Marshal. Click here for more information.
