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How-to · Step-by-step

How to report fraud or a scam in the UK

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In short. Tell your bank immediately by calling 159 (a trusted shortcut to your bank's fraud team), then report at reportfraud.police.uk. Report Fraud covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland contact Police Scotland on 101 (or 999 if a crime is in progress).

Acting fast can stop further losses and improves the chance of recovery under the mandatory APP-fraud reimbursement scheme (since 7 October 2024). Reporting also helps build the national picture of fraud. Report Fraud is the national reporting service for cyber crime and fraud in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It does not currently operate in Scotland — victims of fraud in Scotland should contact Police Scotland via 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in November 2025; any reports received by Action Fraud were transferred over to the Report Fraud system as part of the transition.

Last reviewed:

·Estimated time: 30 min·Cost: Free

What you'll need

  • Account details and a clear timeline of the fraud
  • Copies of any suspicious messages, emails, websites or call records

The steps

  1. 01

    Stop further payments immediately

    Block cards through your banking app. Call 159 to be transferred safely to your bank's fraud team — this is a free, trusted service supported by major UK banks.

    Official link →

  2. 02

    Report to Report Fraud (or Police Scotland)

    In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report at reportfraud.police.uk — the national reporting service for cyber crime and fraud. Report Fraud does not currently operate in Scotland; contact Police Scotland on 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress.

    Official link →

  3. 03

    Ask your bank about APP-fraud reimbursement

    Since 7 October 2024 most authorised push payment (APP) scam victims must be reimbursed by their sending bank within 5 business days, subject to a £85,000 cap and excluded categories.

    Official link →

  4. 04

    Register with CIFAS protective registration if identity fraud

    If your ID was compromised, sign up for CIFAS Protective Registration (currently a 2-year fee). It flags applications in your name for extra checks.

    Official link →

  5. 05

    Report clone or fake-firm fraud

    If you were dealt with by a firm claiming to be authorised, report the fraud via Report Fraud (or Police Scotland) and ask your bank to secure your accounts. Also check the FCA Warning List.

    Official link →

Common pitfalls

  • Don't engage further with the fraudster, even to confront them
  • Don't share new card or banking details until your bank has confirmed your account is secure
  • Recovery agencies that demand up-front fees are themselves usually scams

FAQ

Will I get my money back?
Under the PSR's mandatory APP-fraud reimbursement rules (from 7 Oct 2024) most authorised push payment scam victims are reimbursed within 5 business days, subject to a £85,000 cap, with exclusions for gross negligence.
What happened to Action Fraud?
Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in November 2025. Any reports received by Action Fraud were transferred over to the Report Fraud system as part of the transition. Use reportfraud.police.uk to make a new report.
Does Report Fraud cover Scotland?
No. Report Fraud is the national reporting service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland only. Victims of fraud in Scotland should contact Police Scotland via 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress.
What's the difference between 159 and Report Fraud?
159 connects you to your bank's fraud team — for stopping payments and securing your account. Report Fraud is the national reporting service for the police record of cyber crime and fraud.
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