Identity Theft
10 Warning Signs You're Being Targeted by Fraudsters
Recognise the red flags before it's too late. From unsolicited calls claiming to be your bank to suspicious emails from HMRC â here's what to watch for.
Latest Articles & Guides
HMRC Fraud
HMRC Impersonation Scams: What to Do If You've Been Targeted
Scammers posing as HMRC are on the rise. Learn how to verify genuine HMRC contact, report phishing, and recover if you've already been defrauded.
Your Rights
Bailiffs & Debt Collectors: Know Your Rights as a Fraud Victim
If fraudulent debt has been registered against you, bailiffs and debt collectors must follow strict rules. Here's how to challenge unlawful enforcement.
Investment Scams
Authorised Push Payment (APP) Fraud: How to Claim Your Money Back
Under the new mandatory reimbursement rules, banks must refund APP fraud victims in most cases. Here's how to make your claim and what to do if refused.
Prevention
5 Steps to Protect Yourself From Online Fraud in 2025
Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and knowing how to spot a phishing email are just the start. Our complete prevention checklist for 2025.
Bank Fraud
What Information Is Your Bank Legally Required to Share With You?
Banks cannot withhold fraud investigation details from victims. Understand your Subject Access Rights, GDPR entitlements, and how to demand full disclosure.
đĄď¸ How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Fraud
đ Protect Your Personal Information
- â Never share PINs, passwords or OTPs â your bank will never ask
- â Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager
- â Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts
- â Shred financial documents before disposal
- â Check your credit report regularly (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
- â Register with the Mailing Preference Service to reduce junk mail
đą Stay Safe Online & On the Phone
- â Verify callers â hang up and call back on official numbers
- â Never click links in unsolicited texts or emails
- â Check website URLs carefully â look for HTTPS and correct spelling
- â Keep devices and software updated with security patches
- â Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks
- â Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
đŚ Banking & Financial Safety
- â Set up transaction alerts on all bank accounts
- â Never transfer money to a "safe account" â this is always fraud
- â Verify new payees via a separate channel before transferring
- â Use credit cards for online purchases (Section 75 protection)
- â Review bank statements weekly for unauthorised transactions
- â Only use FCA-regulated financial firms â check the FCA register
đĽ Social & Investment Fraud Prevention
- â Be sceptical of unsolicited investment opportunities
- â If returns sound too good to be true â they are
- â Never send money to someone you've only met online
- â Check company registration at Companies House
- â Verify charity registrations on the Charity Commission website
- â Talk to a trusted friend or family member before investing
đ° Steps to Retrieve Your Losses
Act quickly â the faster you report, the greater the chance of recovering funds. Follow these steps in order:
1
Contact Your Bank Immediately
Call your bank's fraud line the moment you suspect fraud. Ask them to freeze the account, recall the payment, and open a formal fraud investigation. Note the date, time, and name of every person you speak to.
2
Report to Action Fraud
Report online at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. You will receive a crime reference number â keep this safe as you will need it for all future correspondence.
3
Submit a Formal Written Complaint to Your Bank
Send a formal complaint letter by recorded post and email. Reference the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code and the PSR's mandatory reimbursement rules. Banks must respond within 15 business days.
4
Request a Subject Access Request (SAR)
Under GDPR, submit a Subject Access Request to your bank demanding all data held about the fraud â including internal investigation notes, transaction records, and communications. Banks must comply within 30 days.
5
Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service
If your bank refuses to reimburse or stalls beyond 15 days, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) â free and independent. Call 0800 023 4567 or visit financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
6
Consider Civil Legal Action
For larger losses, specialist solicitors (such as Leigh Day or Mishcon de Reya) can pursue civil recovery, asset tracing, and injunctions. Many operate on a no-win, no-fee basis for fraud victims.
đď¸ HMRC Tax Fraud & Complaint Tracker
đ Types of HMRC Tax Fraud
- đ´ HMRC impersonation calls & phishing emails
- đ´ Fake tax rebate / refund scams
- đ´ Identity theft used to file false tax returns
- đ´ VAT fraud and carousel fraud
- đ´ Payroll fraud and PAYE manipulation
- đ´ Fraudulent Self Assessment submissions
- đ´ Fake HMRC debt collection threats
đ HMRC Direct Contacts
- đď¸ HMRC Fraud Hotline: 0800 788 887
- đ§ Phishing emails: Forward to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
- đą Suspicious texts: Forward to 60599
- đ Report online: gov.uk/report-hmrc-fraud â
- đ General enquiries: 0300 200 3300
- đ Tax evasion tip-off: gov.uk/report-tax-fraud â
âĄ
Speed Up Your Case â Reference Number Tracker
Enter your bank complaint reference number and Action Fraud crime reference number below. Use this to cross-reference when contacting HMRC, the FCA, or the Financial Ombudsman â quoting both numbers in every communication speeds up the process significantly.
đ¤ Citizens Advice Bureau â Fraud Support
đ¤
Free, Independent Advice for Fraud Victims
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free, confidential, and impartial advice to fraud victims across the UK. They can help you understand your rights, navigate complaints processes, and access further support â regardless of your circumstances.
đ How to Contact Citizens Advice
- đ Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848
- đ Adviceline (Wales): 0800 702 2020
- đ Consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133
- đ Online advice: citizensadvice.org.uk â
- đŹ Live chat: Available via their website
- đ˘ Local offices: Find your local CAB â
â What Citizens Advice Can Help With
- â Understanding your rights as a fraud victim
- â Writing complaint letters to banks and creditors
- â Challenging fraudulent debts and bailiff action
- â Navigating the Financial Ombudsman process
- â Benefits and financial support if fraud has left you in hardship
- â Referrals to specialist legal and mental health support
đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż Scotland â Citizens Advice Scotland
- đ Helpline: 0800 028 1456
- đ cas.org.uk â
- đŹ Advice in English and Gaelic
- đ˘ Over 200 local bureaux across Scotland
đĄ Scam Action Partnership
Citizens Advice runs the Scam Action Partnership with Trading Standards â a dedicated service for scam victims including doorstep fraud, phone scams, and online fraud.
Report a Scam to CAB âKey Contacts & Reporting Bodies
Action Fraud / Report Fraud
National reporting centre for fraud & cybercrime in England, Wales & Northern Ireland.
0300 123 2040 reportfraud.police.uk âFinancial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Regulates banks and financial firms. Report unauthorised firms and investment fraud.
0800 111 6768 fca.org.uk âFinancial Ombudsman Service
Escalate unresolved bank complaints. Free, independent service for consumers.
0800 023 4567 financial-ombudsman.org.uk âHMRC Fraud & Phishing
Report HMRC impersonation scams. Forward phishing emails to HMRC directly.
0300 200 3300 Report HMRC phishing âPolice Scotland
For fraud victims in Scotland. Report online scams and financial crime.
101 scotland.police.uk âCitizens Advice
Free advice on fraud, debt, and your consumer rights. Local offices nationwide.
0800 144 8848 citizensadvice.org.uk âLegal Support & Specialist Solicitors
If you have been a victim of fraud, you may be entitled to legal representation. The following specialist firms have experience in fraud, financial crime, and victims' rights.
Bindmans LLP
Leading fraud & white-collar crime defence solicitors. Specialists in financial crime, regulatory investigations, and victims' rights. Also handle mental health law.
020 7014 2020 bindmans.com âLeigh Day Solicitors
Specialist claimant firm fighting for victims of financial wrongdoing, mis-selling, and corporate fraud. No win, no fee options available.
020 7650 1200 leighday.co.uk âMishcon de Reya
Top-tier firm for fraud victims pursuing civil recovery, asset tracing, and injunctions against fraudsters. Highly experienced in complex financial crime.
020 3321 7000 mishcon.com âSerious Fraud Office (SFO)
Investigates and prosecutes serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption. Contact if your case involves large-scale or organised financial crime.
020 7239 7272 sfo.gov.uk â
đĄ Find a Solicitor: Use the Law Society Solicitor Finder â to locate a regulated fraud specialist near you. Always verify a solicitor is registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority â.
đ Mental Health & Emotional Support
đ
Fraud Can Devastate Mental Health â You Are Not Alone
Being defrauded causes profound emotional trauma â shame, anxiety, depression and loss of trust are all common responses. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. The organisations below offer free, confidential help.
Victim Support
Free, confidential emotional and practical support for fraud victims across the UK. Available 24/7 â you don't need to have reported the crime to access help.
08 08 16 89 111 victimsupport.org.uk âMind â Mental Health Support
Information and support for anyone experiencing mental health problems, including anxiety and depression linked to financial trauma and fraud.
0300 123 3393 mind.org.uk âSamaritans
Confidential emotional support for anyone in distress or despair, including those overwhelmed by financial fraud. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
116 123 samaritans.org âRethink Mental Illness
Specialist support for people severely affected by mental illness, including those whose condition has been worsened by fraud, financial abuse or exploitation.
0300 5000 927 rethink.org âMoney & Mental Health Policy Institute
Research and support at the intersection of financial difficulty and mental health. Practical resources for those whose mental health has been impacted by fraud or debt.
Online resources moneyandmentalhealth.org âBreathing Space (Scotland)
Free, confidential phone service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety â including those affected by financial crime and fraud.
0800 83 85 87 breathingspace.scot âBindmans â Mental Health Law
Bindmans has a specialist mental health law team helping individuals whose mental health has been affected by legal disputes, fraud, or institutional failures.
020 7014 2020 bindmans.com/mental-health âThe Silver Line â Elderly Victims
Free helpline for older people (55+) who have been targeted by fraud. Provides friendship, information and advice â available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
0800 4 70 80 90 thesilverline.org.uk âAge UK â Elderly Fraud Victims
Dedicated support for older people who have been defrauded. Age UK can help with emotional support, practical advice, and connecting victims with specialist services.
0800 678 1602 ageuk.org.uk/fraud âScope â Disabled Fraud Victims
Support for disabled people who have been targeted by fraudsters. Scope provides advice on financial exploitation, benefits fraud, and accessing specialist legal help.
0808 800 3333 scope.org.uk âRNIB â Visually Impaired Victims
Support for blind and partially sighted fraud victims. RNIB can help with accessible reporting tools, advice on financial scams targeting visually impaired people, and referrals.
0303 123 9999 rnib.org.uk âMencap â Learning Disability Support
People with learning disabilities are disproportionately targeted by fraudsters. Mencap provides specialist advocacy, support and guidance for victims and their families.
0808 808 1111 mencap.org.uk â
â ď¸
Flag Aggravating Factors â Strengthen Your Case
Certain victim circumstances are recognised as aggravating factors in UK fraud law and sentencing guidelines. Flagging these when reporting can result in faster police action, higher priority investigation, and stronger prosecution outcomes. Select all that apply:
â ď¸ This tool generates a supporting statement only. Always report fraud directly to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) and your bank. Quote aggravating factors in every written complaint and FOS submission.