Scammed in the UK? Do this now.

Act fast: the sooner your bank knows, the better the chance of stopping the payment. Then report it, so police can link it to other cases.

159

Call your bank on 159. Then report it: Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

The 'safe account' call: Your bank and the police will never ask you to move your money.

  1. An unexpected call from your 'bank' or 'the police'.Hang up. Call your bank back on 159 so you reach the real one.
  2. Being rushed, or told to keep the call secret.Stop. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  3. Any request to transfer money to another account, withdraw cash for 'safe-keeping', or hand over cards or PINs.A bank or the police will never ask for this. Refuse, hang up, and call your bank on 159.

The investment scam: High returns, little risk, and no time to check.

  1. An unexpected contact, or an advert that uses a celebrity endorsement.Don't reply or click. Look the firm up yourself and check it independently.
  2. High returns with little risk.Challenge it: could it be fake? It is fine to refuse or ignore it.
  3. Pressure to pay quickly and keep the offer secret.Stop. Don't pay until you have checked the firm independently. If you have already paid, contact your bank at once.

Call Police Scotland

If you live in Scotland, report fraud and cyber crime to Police Scotland on 101.

Forward it

Forward scam texts to 7726 (free on every network). Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Sources: stopscamsuk.org.uk · www.cityoflondon.police.uk · www.ncsc.gov.uk · www.reportfraud.police.uk · www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk. Advice is the issuing organisation's where stated, otherwise general safety advice. Prepared by CYFINARA, an independent site; not issued by any government agency. Printed from CYFINARA, 2026-10-04.
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