As the UK’s national fraud reporting centre, Action Fraud should be your first point of contact if you have been a victim of fraud.
Reporting fraud and cyber crime to Action Fraud ensures that the correct crime reporting procedures are followed. We pass on all fraud cases to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which is overseen by the police force that leads on fraud for the UK – the City of London Police. Making a crime report to Action Fraud also means that you will receive a NFIB reference Number.
Fraud is a serious crime
Sometimes people choose not to report fraud because they are embarrassed that they fell for a scam, con, swindle, or any other word used to describe the crime.
Remember that fraud is a crime and that fraudsters will constantly reinvent themselves to find new ways of tricking people. Anyone could be a victim.
Some people also think that fraud is a victimless crime, or that it’s not as serious as other crimes. This is not true. Fraudsters are often part of serious organised criminal gangs, who use the money to fund other crimes such as human trafficking, illegal firearms trade and terrorism.