What Is Action Fraud?
Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. It is run by the City of London Police and is the central point of contact for anyone in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who has been a victim of fraud or cybercrime. (Scotland has its own reporting system through Police Scotland.)
Reports made to Action Fraud are assessed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which identifies crime patterns and passes actionable intelligence to police forces and partner agencies.
What to Report to Action Fraud
- Online shopping scams and fake websites
- Romance and dating scams
- Investment fraud and Ponzi schemes
- Phishing emails and smishing (SMS phishing)
- Business email compromise (BEC)
- Identity theft and account takeover
- Advance fee fraud (419 scams)
- Cryptocurrency fraud
How to Report to Action Fraud
Online (Recommended)
Report online 24/7 at actionfraud.police.uk. You'll be guided through a structured reporting process. You'll receive a crime reference number at the end.
By Phone
Call 0300 123 2040, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. A specialist advisor will take your report. A text relay service is available for the hearing impaired: 18001 0300 123 2040.
What Information You'll Need
- Your personal details (name, address, contact information)
- Details of the fraud (what happened, when, how)
- Information about the suspect (names, emails, phone numbers, websites)
- Financial details (amounts lost, payment methods used)
- Any evidence you have (screenshots, emails, receipts)
⚠️ In Immediate Danger or Emergency?
Action Fraud does not handle emergency situations. If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 999. For non-emergencies, call 101 to speak with local police.
What Happens After You Report to Action Fraud?
Once submitted, your report goes to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. The NFIB assesses reports and determines whether to:
- Refer the case to a local police force for investigation
- Add the intelligence to a pattern being tracked nationally
- Pass information to specialist law enforcement agencies
You will receive a crime reference number by email. Note that not all reports lead to individual investigations — Action Fraud prioritizes cases where investigation is most likely to result in prosecution.
Limitations of Action Fraud
Action Fraud has faced criticism for not investigating every case individually, particularly lower-value fraud. If your case involves significant financial loss or cross-border elements, you may need additional support beyond what Action Fraud can provide.
In these situations, a licensed private investigator can gather forensic-level evidence, trace suspects, and liaise with international authorities to strengthen your case for law enforcement action.
Useful UK Fraud Resources
- Action Fraud: actionfraud.police.uk
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): report.ncsc.gov.uk
- Citizens Advice Scams: citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/
- MoneyHelper (fraud guidance): moneyhelper.org.uk