In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you report fraud and cyber crime to Report Fraud, online at reportfraud.police.uk or by phone on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, you report to Police Scotland by calling 101. You should also tell your bank straight away if you have lost money, and you can forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
What happened to Action Fraud?
Report Fraud has replaced Action Fraud. The City of London Police announced that the new service went live on 4 December 2025, with a full public launch in January 2026. It covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Some older websites and leaflets still mention Action Fraud, but Report Fraud is now the place to go.
The phone number, 0300 123 2040, is the same one many people will remember. The website address is www.reportfraud.police.uk. Always type it in yourself rather than clicking a link in a message, as scammers sometimes copy official websites.
How do I make a report?
You can report in two main ways:
- Online: go to the Report Fraud website. Online reporting is open at any time.
- By phone: call 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud also offers online chat. Check its contact page for current opening times.
If you live in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101 instead. If you are in danger or a crime is happening right now, call 999.
What information will I need?
Try to have these to hand. Do not worry if you do not have everything.
- your contact details
- when and how the scammer first contacted you
- names, phone numbers, email addresses, websites or social media profiles used
- payment details: dates, amounts, how you paid and where the money went
- any reference numbers from your bank
- copies of messages, emails and receipts
Our guide on how to preserve evidence explains how to gather and store this safely.
What happens after I report?
According to Citizens Advice, Report Fraud can pass reports to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, and you will get a crime reference number. Keep this safe. Your bank may ask for it when you make a refund claim, and it helps link your case to others.
Not every report leads to an investigation or an arrest, but every report helps police build a picture of who is behind scams and how they work. Reporting is free.
Where else should I report a scam?
Depending on what happened, you can also report to:
- Your bank or card provider, as soon as possible, if you have paid money or shared bank details. You can dial 159 to reach many UK banks.
- 7726, by forwarding any scam text message. Your phone provider can investigate and may block the sender.
- report@phishing.gov.uk, by forwarding a scam email to the National Cyber Security Centre.
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 0800 111 6768, if the scam involved a fake investment, a fake financial firm or someone pretending to be the FCA.
- Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or through its online form. Citizens Advice passes scam reports to Trading Standards.
- The website or platform where you met the scammer, such as a social media site, dating app or marketplace.
Will reporting help me get my money back?
Reporting does not by itself return your money, but it can help. For bank transfers, your bank may ask you to report to the police, or agree to report for you, as part of a refund claim. Read getting your money back after an APP scam and talking to your bank.
Be careful of anyone who contacts you after you report and says they can recover your money for a fee. The FCA says fraud reports are shared only between law enforcement agencies, not with private recovery businesses. See our guide to fund recovery scams.
If reporting feels overwhelming, you can contact us for free help. We are independent and are not the police or Report Fraud, but we can help you understand your options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Action Fraud still running?
No. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The phone number 0300 123 2040 still works for reporting.
I live in Scotland. Do I use Report Fraud?
No. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Should I report even if I did not lose money?
Yes. Reports of attempted scams still help police and other organisations spot new tricks and warn others. Scam texts and emails can be forwarded to 7726 and report@phishing.gov.uk.
Do I have to pay to report fraud?
No. Reporting to Report Fraud, Police Scotland, your bank, the FCA or Citizens Advice is free. Anyone asking for a fee to "file" or "speed up" a report is likely to be a scammer.