Protecting Yourself from Scams and Fraud UK
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.
Start here: Scams and Fraud Hub.
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.
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