How do I report internet fraud in the UK?

In the UK, the way you report internet fraud depends on whether you are an individual, a business, or whether money has been stolen.

If you are an individual

Report the fraud to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting service. You can report:

• Online shopping scams
• Phishing emails and texts
• Identity theft
• Investment scams
• Social media scams
• Hacking and cybercrime

Action Fraud will provide a crime reference number and pass information to law enforcement when appropriate.

If money has been taken from your bank account

Contact your bank or card provider immediately. They may be able to:

• Freeze your account
• Stop further transactions
• Refund fraudulent payments
• Issue new cards or account details

You should also report the incident to Action Fraud.

If you received a suspicious email

• Do not click links or open attachments.
• Forward phishing emails to the UK’s Suspicious Email Reporting Service.
• Delete the email after reporting it.

If you received a suspicious text message

• Forward the text to 7726 (spells “SPAM” on a keypad).
• Your mobile network will investigate.

If you believe your identity has been stolen

• Contact your bank and any affected organisations.
• Check your credit report for unfamiliar accounts.
• Report the matter to Action Fraud.

Information to gather before reporting

Try to collect:

• Dates and times of the incident
• Email addresses, phone numbers, or websites involved
• Screenshots and messages
• Bank transaction details
• Any correspondence with the suspected fraudster

Reporting quickly improves the chances of preventing further losses and helps authorities identify fraud trends and offenders.