How to report a scam in the United Kingdom
- Call your bank's fraud team first - UK banks must reimburse most authorised push payment fraud since October 2024.
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 (in Scotland, Police Scotland on 101).
- Get your money-back options straight - see what to do if you've been scammed for steps by payment type.
Where to report
Can you get your money back?
UK consumers have some of the strongest scam-reimbursement protections anywhere, but you have to act fast and report to the bank.
Bank transfer (Faster Payments / CHAPS): since 7 October 2024, banks must reimburse most authorised push payment (APP) fraud victims, up to £85,000, unless you acted with gross negligence.2 Report to your bank promptly and ask about APP reimbursement. Credit card: purchases between £100 and £30,000 are protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, and you can also request a chargeback. Debit card: ask your bank for a chargeback. Cryptocurrency: rarely recoverable, but report it quickly. Full detail by method is in what to do if you've been scammed.
What happens after you report
Action Fraud gives you a crime reference number and passes your report to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, which assesses reports for investigation. Most individual reports are not investigated one by one - they build the intelligence picture - so do not wait on Action Fraud before pursuing your bank claim. Keep your crime reference number; your bank or insurer may ask for it.
The scale in the UK
After any loss, watch for a follow-up "we can recover your money" approach - that is the money recovery scam. No legitimate firm or agency charges an upfront fee to get your money back.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I report a scam in the UK?
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101. Always call your bank's fraud team first as well.
- Will my bank refund a scam in the UK?
- Often, yes. Since 7 October 2024, banks must reimburse most victims of authorised push payment fraud made by Faster Payments or CHAPS, up to £85,000, unless you acted with gross negligence. Report it to your bank quickly and ask specifically about APP reimbursement. Card payments are covered separately by chargeback and Section 75.
- What is a crime reference number?
- When you report to Action Fraud you receive a crime reference number. Your bank, insurer, or other organisations may ask for it as proof that you reported the fraud. Keep it safe along with your screenshots and transaction details.
- UK Finance, Annual Fraud Report 2025 (covering 2024). Over £1.1bn stolen through fraud in 2024; APP fraud losses of £450.7m.
- UK Payment Systems Regulator, authorised push payment (APP) fraud reimbursement requirement, in force 7 October 2024 (Faster Payments and CHAPS), reimbursement capped at £85,000. Mandatory bank reimbursement and the gross-negligence exception.
We compile official reporting routes from government agencies and law enforcement. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Read about how we research or who we are.