If you’ve had a suspicious text, email, call or website, reporting it takes a few minutes and helps get fake sites taken down and numbers blocked. This guide covers every official UK channel, what to do if you’ve lost money, and how to warn other people through the SafeScan community database.
Don't click links, call numbers in the message, or send more money. Replying confirms your number is live and invites more attempts.
2. Check the message with SafeScan
Paste the text, email, URL or a screenshot into SafeScan. You'll get a plain-English verdict, risk score and the exact red flags — useful evidence for your report.
3. Contact your bank if money moved
Call 159 or the number on your card. Ask for the payment to be stopped and a fraud claim opened. Under the UK reimbursement rules, most authorised push payment losses can be claimed back — report within 13 months.
4. Report to the right official channel
Use the table below: Action Fraud for the crime itself, 7726 for texts, report@phishing.gov.uk for emails, the NCSC form for websites.
5. Secure your accounts
Change any password you entered, turn on two-factor authentication, and run a breach check in the SafeScan Security Centre.
6. Warn other people
Add the number, website or message to the SafeScan community database so other users are warned the next time it appears.
Where to report each type of scam
Action Fraud (national reporting centre)
Use it for: Any fraud or cybercrime in England, Wales or Northern Ireland — money lost or not.
How: Report online 24/7, or call 0300 123 2040 (Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm). In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
How to report a scam on WhatsApp, Facebook and marketplaces
Reporting inside the app gets the account removed; reporting to Action Fraud records the crime. Do both — the in-app report alone is not a police report.
WhatsApp
Open the chat → tap the contact name → Report and Block. Then forward the message text to 7726 free of charge.
Facebook & Facebook Marketplace
Listing: three dots → Report Listing. Message or profile: three dots → Find Support or Report. Fake payment screenshots and 'courier collection' requests should also go to Action Fraud.
Instagram
Profile → three dots → Report → It's pretending to be someone else / scam. Screenshot the DMs first, as blocking removes the thread.
eBay
Use the item page 'Report this item' link or Help & Contact → Report a buyer/seller. Keep payments inside eBay so Money Back Guarantee applies.
Vinted & Depop
Open the conversation → flag icon → Report member. Never move to WhatsApp or accept a 'shipping fee' link — that is the most common Vinted scam.
Gumtree
Ad page → Report this ad. For a rental or deposit scam, also report to Action Fraud and to Citizens Advice for Trading Standards.
Royal Mail, Evri & DPD (parcel texts)
Never pay a redelivery fee from a text link. Forward the SMS to 7726 and report the fake site to the NCSC.
Banks & HMRC impersonation
Hang up and call 159 (banks) or check your HMRC account directly. Forward the SMS to 7726 and the email to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Reporting through SafeScan
Every SafeScan result includes one-tap reporting: the app pre-fills the message, red flags and risk score, then hands it to the right channel — 7726 for texts, the NCSC for emails and websites, Action Fraud for everything else.
Community scam centre — add a number, website or message so other users get warned, and confirm reports from other people.
Phone intelligence — look up a number before you report it, and see how many others flagged it.
Website intelligence — capture domain age, hosting and reputation evidence for your report.
Security centre — check whether your email or passwords were exposed in a breach.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I report a scam in the UK?
Report fraud and cybercrime to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland. Forward scam texts free to 7726 and phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
What should I do first if I have lost money?
Call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card, or 159 to be connected safely. Ask them to stop payments and start a fraud claim, then report to Action Fraud.
How do I report a scam on WhatsApp?
Open the chat, tap the sender's name, then Report and Block. WhatsApp receives the last five messages from that contact. Also forward the text to 7726 and report to Action Fraud if money was requested.
How do I report a scam on Facebook or Facebook Marketplace?
On a Marketplace listing tap the three dots then Report Listing; for a profile or message use Find Support or Report Profile. Then report the seller to Action Fraud, as Facebook reports alone are not a crime report.
Can I report a scam anonymously?
Yes. Forwarding a text to 7726 or an email to report@phishing.gov.uk does not require an account, and you can add a scam number, website or message to the SafeScan community database without publishing personal details.
Is it worth reporting if I did not lose money?
Yes. Reports are used to take down phishing sites, block numbers and warn other people. Attempted scams are just as useful as successful ones.
Phone numbers and reporting addresses are those published by Action Fraud, the NCSC, Citizens Advice and UK Finance. Always check the official websites linked above before calling.