Money & Budgeting
How to Report Fraud UK — Complete Reporting Guide
Where and how to report fraud in the UK. Reporting to Action Fraud, banks, police, and other organisations. What happens after you report.
Knowing where to report fraud helps recover money and catch criminals. Here’s how to report effectively.
Where to Report
Primary Reporting
| Type of Fraud |
Report To |
| All fraud |
Action Fraud |
| If money lost from account |
Your bank |
| Ongoing fraud |
Police (999 if happening now) |
Additional Reports
Reporting to Action Fraud
How to Report
| Method |
Details |
| Online |
actionfraud.police.uk |
| Phone |
0300 123 2040 |
| Hours |
24/7 online, phone Mon-Fri 8am-8pm |
| Accessibility |
Textphone, interpreter services |
| Category |
Details Needed |
| What happened |
Full description |
| When |
Dates and times |
| How |
Method used |
| How much |
Amount lost |
| Who |
Suspect details if known |
| Evidence |
Screenshots, emails, messages |
What You’ll Get
| Outcome |
Details |
| Crime reference number |
Immediately |
| Confirmation email/letter |
For records |
| Case assessment |
By NFIB |
| Updates |
If case progresses |
What Happens Next
| Stage |
What Occurs |
| Report logged |
In national database |
| Assessment |
Solvability and impact |
| Referral |
To local police if viable |
| Investigation |
If approved |
| Resolution |
Varies by case |
Reporting to Your Bank
| Situation |
Urgency |
| Unauthorised transaction |
Immediately |
| Money sent to scammer |
Immediately |
| Account compromised |
Immediately |
| Suspicious activity |
Same day |
What to Tell Them
| Information |
Why Needed |
| What happened |
Full account |
| Transaction details |
Dates, amounts, references |
| How it happened |
Method |
| What you’ve done |
Already reported? |
Bank Fraud Lines
| Bank |
Number |
| Barclays |
0800 400 100 |
| HSBC |
0800 783 8330 |
| Lloyds |
0800 072 8805 |
| NatWest/RBS |
0800 161 5149 |
| Nationwide |
0800 030 4057 |
| Santander |
0800 171 2171 |
| TSB |
0800 096 8669 |
Use number on your card — not one given by a caller.
Bank Investigation Process
| Stage |
Timeline |
| Report received |
Day 1 |
| Initial response |
Within 15 days |
| Investigation |
Varies |
| Final response |
Within 35 days (extendable) |
| Provisional refund |
Often while investigating |
Reporting Specific Fraud Types
Investment Scams
| Report To |
Details |
| Action Fraud |
All cases |
| FCA |
fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam |
| Bank |
If money sent |
Phishing
| Type |
Report To |
| Emails |
report@phishing.gov.uk |
| Texts |
Forward to 7726 |
| Calls |
0300 123 2040 |
| Websites |
NCSC (ncsc.gov.uk) |
Identity Theft
| Report To |
Purpose |
| Action Fraud |
Crime report |
| Credit agencies |
Add fraud markers |
| CIFAS |
Protective registration |
| Affected companies |
Close fraudulent accounts |
Online Marketplace Fraud
| Report To |
Purpose |
| Action Fraud |
Crime report |
| Platform (eBay, Facebook, etc.) |
May refund/ban seller |
| Bank |
If paid by them |
| Trading Standards |
Consumer protection |
Getting Money Back
Unauthorised Transactions
| Requirement |
Bank Should |
| You didn’t authorise |
Refund promptly |
| Unless gross negligence |
On your part |
| Timeline |
Usually within days |
Authorised Push Payment Fraud
| If You Transferred Money |
Options |
| Report immediately |
Better chance of recovery |
| Bank contacts receiving bank |
To freeze funds |
| CRM code |
Many banks signed up |
| Refund possible |
Case-by-case |
If Bank Refuses Refund
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Ask for written reasons |
| 2 |
Make formal complaint |
| 3 |
Wait 8 weeks or final response |
| 4 |
Complain to Financial Ombudsman |
| 5 |
FOS can order refund |
Documenting Fraud
What to Keep
| Evidence |
Why |
| Screenshots |
Of messages, websites |
| Emails |
Original headers |
| Bank statements |
Transaction proof |
| Phone records |
Call history |
| Correspondence |
With scammers |
| Crime reference |
From reports |
How to Document
| Method |
Tips |
| Screenshots |
Include dates/times |
| Save emails |
Don’t just forward |
| Written timeline |
Chronological |
| Contact log |
Every call, outcome |
Summary: Fraud Reporting Checklist
| Priority |
Action |
| 1 |
Stop any ongoing activity |
| 2 |
Contact bank if money involved |
| 3 |
Report to Action Fraud |
| 4 |
Change compromised passwords |
| 5 |
Gather evidence |
Report To
| Always |
Action Fraud |
| If money from account |
Your bank |
| If investment |
FCA |
| If phishing email |
report@phishing.gov.uk |
| If scam text |
Forward to 7726 |
| Category |
Details |
| Description |
What happened |
| Timeline |
When things occurred |
| Amounts |
How much lost |
| Method |
How scam worked |
| Evidence |
Screenshots, messages |
After Reporting
| Action |
Why |
| Keep crime reference |
For all future contact |
| Follow up with bank |
Ensure investigation |
| Monitor accounts |
For further issues |
| Check credit file |
For identity fraud |
| Service |
Contact |
| Action Fraud |
0300 123 2040 |
| Phishing emails |
report@phishing.gov.uk |
| Scam texts |
7726 |
| FCA |
0800 111 6768 |
| Financial Ombudsman |
0800 023 4567 |
Reporting fraud is important even if you think nothing will happen. Every report builds intelligence that helps catch criminals and protect others. Report quickly — especially to your bank — to maximise chances of recovery.
You Might Also Find Useful