What to do if you're the victim of a scam

Being scammed can be very distressing, and the impact is often emotional as well as financial. If you've been scammed, you're not alone, and there's support available.

Steps to take if you’ve been scammed

If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, there are some steps that you should take as soon as possible to help protect yourself and others:  

Contact your bank immediately 

Contact your bank as soon as you notice fraudulent activity or think you may have scammed. You can call your bank using the phone number on your card. Some banks may also have a dedicated fraud line you can call.  

Report the Scam to the Police 

Report the scam to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk 

Change Your Passwords 

Whether you’ve been scammed online, over the phone, or in person, it’s important to secure your accounts if scammers now have your personal details. It’s especially important to change your password on your online banking account.  

See our tips on choosing a strong password.  

Secure Your Computer or Device 

It’s also a good idea to ensure your computer and any other devices – such as your phone or tablet – are also secure. Consider changing your password or passcode and installing any new security or system updates.  

Monitor Your Bank Accounts and Credit Report 

After you’ve been scammed, keep an eye on your bank accounts via online banking or by getting regular account statements, to make sure there’s no more suspicious activity.  

Stop Contact with the Scammer 

If you have been in direct contact with the scammers, stop all contact immediately. Scammers will often try to get more information or money from you.  

Check If You Can Get Your Money Back 

If you contact your bank, you may be able to recover money you’ve lost in unauthorised or unexpected payments.  

Who can I talk to if I've been scammed?

• The police: If you feel threatened or if you're in immediate danger, call 999. If it's not an emergency, call 101.
• Your bank: If you've noticed any unusual activity with your bank account, call the centralised number 159 or the phone number on the back of your bank card. If you lost money, your bank may be able to recover it in certain situations – but it's not always possible. Your bank may cancel your current card and send you a new one to stop any other fraudulent transactions from your account.
• Action Fraud: Report any kind of fraud by giving them a call or reporting it online via their website.
• Victim Support: Provides 24/7 free and confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales.
• Think Jessica: If a scam has made you feel anxious, fearful or guilty. They provide emotional and practical help to victims of crimes and scams.
• Citizens Advice: Contact Citizens Advice for information and advice about how to avoid scams and fraud. Their consumer services also provides information and advice on consumer issues by telephone and online.
• Samaritans: You can call their helpline on 116 123 if you feel low or anxious and need someone to talk to.
• Social services: If you need care and support, you can contact your local council’s adult social services department. They can provide safeguarding support, and will work with you to consider what action to take.

What are the signs that someone's been scammed?

You may be worried that someone you know is being scammed. Look out for these warning signs:

• Unusual amounts of post or letters in their home.
• Evidence of large cash withdrawals or multiple cheque payments.
• Lack of money to pay for other things.
• Lots of phone calls from strangers or companies.
• Being secretive about any of these behaviours.

Some people don’t realise they're being scammed, or refuse to believe it. They may feel that the scammers are their friends, or that their returns or prizes will come through if they continue to respond. This can make it very difficult to talk to them about getting help.

How can I help someone if they've been scammed?

Raise the subject with them sensitively – you could try asking them about the calls and mail they receive. See if they might be willing to register for the Mail Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service to help block some of the calls and mail.

• Help them to report the fraud. You can report fraud to Action Fraud on behalf of someone, or encourage them to report it. It’s best that you get permission from the person before reporting the fraud on their behalf, but you can report the fraud without their permission.
• Find support locally. The government has advised that internet scams, postal scams and doorstep crime are all forms of financial abuse and are often targeted at adults who need care and support.

If you're worried that an adult who needs care and support has been affected by a scam, you can tell the local council’s adult social services department. They'll make safeguarding enquiries and work to make sure that person is protected.

Find your local council

The lasting impact of a scam

Often when we talk about scams, we discuss them in financial terms and don't talk about the emotional impact they can have. But they can leave us feeling embarrassed, unsettled and unsafe, and have a lasting impact on our confidence. They can also leave us feeling unsure about who we can trust.

But if you've been scammed, it's important to reach out and talk about what's happened. It's nothing to feel embarrassed about – these scams are increasingly sophisticated and are purposefully designed to steal your money by posing as people or organisations you trust.

You might worry that others will judge you or question your decision-making, especially as you get older. But the truth is anyone can be scammed. When you talk about it, you might be surprised by how many people you know have been scammed themselves.