How to Protect Yourself from Fraud and How to Report It

 Common Types of Fraud

Fraudsters use many different methods, including:

• Phishing emails that appear to come from trusted organisations.
• Smishing texts that contain malicious links or urgent requests.
• Vishing phone calls from criminals pretending to be banks, government departments, or service providers.
• Investment scams promising high returns with little risk.
• Purchase scams involving fake products or services.
• Romance scams where criminals build trust before requesting money.
• Impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as friends, family members, or legitimate companies.

Fraud is a criminal offence, and both individuals and businesses can be targeted.

How to Prevent Fraud

Stop and Think Before You Act

Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency to encourage quick decisions. If you receive an unexpected request for money, personal information, or account details:

• Pause before responding.
• Verify the request using trusted contact details.
• Never feel pressured to act immediately.

Protect Your Personal Information

• Keep passwords strong and unique.
• Enable multi-factor authentication where available.
• Never share security codes, PINs, or passwords.
• Be cautious about what you share on social media.

Be Alert to Warning Signs

Watch out for:

• Unexpected messages asking for personal or financial information.
• Requests to transfer money urgently.
• Deals that seem too good to be true.
• Poor spelling, unusual email addresses, or suspicious website links.

Check Before You Pay

Before making a payment:

• Confirm bank account details independently.
• Research unfamiliar companies.
• Use secure payment methods whenever possible.

Keep Your Devices Secure

• Install security updates promptly.
• Use reputable antivirus software.
• Avoid clicking links or opening attachments from unknown sources.

What to Do If You Think You've Been Scammed

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud:

1. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately if money has been lost or your account may be compromised.
2. Change affected passwords and secure your accounts.
3. Keep evidence such as emails, text messages, screenshots, receipts, and bank statements.
4. Report the incident to the appropriate authorities.

Prompt action may help prevent further losses and protect others from becoming victims.

How to Report Fraud in the UK

The UK's national reporting service for fraud and cyber crime is Report Fraud, which has replaced Action Fraud as the primary reporting platform. Reports can be made online 24 hours a day.

Report Online

Visit:

https://www.reportfraud.police.uk

You'll be guided through a series of questions to help identify what happened and submit your report.

Report by Telephone

You can also report fraud by calling:

0300 123 2040

Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 8:00pm.

Information You Should Have Ready

When making a report, try to provide:

• Details of what happened.
• Dates and times of incidents.
• Contact information used by the fraudster.
• Financial losses, if any.
• Supporting evidence such as screenshots, emails, texts, or bank records.

This information helps law enforcement identify criminal activity and protect others from fraud.

Emergency Situations

If a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger, call 999 straight away. Fraud reporting services are not emergency response services.

Remember

The best defence against fraud is to stay vigilant, take time to verify requests, and never share sensitive information without confirming who you are dealing with. If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts, stop, and check before taking action. Reporting fraud helps authorities identify trends, disrupt criminals, and protect others from becoming victims.