Stay safe online resources

What to do if you think you've been scammed

If you believe you may have been scammed, try not to panic. Scams can happen to anyone, and acting quickly can help protect your money, your accounts, and others.

Contact your bank or credit card company straight away

As soon as you notice anything unusual - or if you think you may have shared details with a scammer - contact your bank or credit card company immediately.

  • Use the phone number on the back of your bank card.
  • Call 159, which connects you directly to your bank’s official fraud team.

Your bank or credit card company can:

  • Check for suspicious activity.
  • Stop payments.
  • Cancel your card and issue a new one if needed.
  • Advise whether any lost money can be recovered.

Report the scam

Reporting scams helps protect others and builds intelligence about how criminals operate.

Report the scam to Action Fraud

If you are in immediate danger or feel threatened, call 999.
For non-emergencies, you can contact the police on 101.

Change your passwords

If a scammer may have access to your details, securing your accounts is essential.

Change passwords on:

  • Online banking.
  • Email accounts.
  • Shopping or social media accounts linked to payments.
  • Use strong, unique passwords - especially for banking and email.

This reduces the risk of further access or follow-up scams.

Check your email settings

If your email has been hacked, it’s important you don’t just change the password. Hackers often set things up in the background - like automatic forwarding or changing your recovery phone number or email - so they can get back in later.

To properly fix it, you should:

  • Change your email password straight away, and make sure it’s a strong one you don’t use anywhere else.
  • Turn on two‑factor authentication (2FA) if it isn’t already on - find out more.
  • Check your main security settings, including:
    • Any email‑forwarding rules (to make sure nothing is being secretly sent somewhere else).
    • Your recovery email address and phone number.
    • Any trusted devices or apps that have access.

Doing these checks helps make sure the hacker hasn't left anything behind and stops them getting back into your account.

Secure your computer, phone or tablet

If you have been involved in a tech scam immediately disconnect your device from the internet if you gave remote access and run a full virus and malware scan and change passwords for any accounts you accessed while compromised

For all other online scams, itt’s a good idea to check that all your devices are protected.

  • Change your device passcode or password.
  • Install any pending software or security updates.
  • Make sure antivirus or security software is switched on and up to date.
  • If this feels overwhelming, ask a trusted family member or friend to help.

Keep an eye on your accounts

For the weeks following a scam:

  • Regularly check your bank statements or online banking.
  • Look out for unfamiliar transactions, no matter how small.
  • Report anything suspicious to your bank straight away.

Early action can prevent further losses.

Stop all contact with the scammer

If you have been communicating with the scammer:

  • Stop responding immediately
  • Don’t send any more money - even if they threaten or beg - it’s a scam tactic to keep you engaged.
  • Block phone numbers, email addresses or social media accounts

Scammers often try to re-contact victims - especially if they think more money or information is possible.

Check whether you can get money back

If you’ve lost money, your bank may be able to help - especially if the payment was unauthorised or you were pressured.

Recovery isn’t always possible, but it is always worth asking.

The sooner you report it, the better the chance of support.

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

You don’t have to deal with this alone. Support is available.

The police

  • Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
  • Call 101 for non-emergency situations.

Your bank

  • Call 159 or the number on the back of your card.
  • They can investigate, protect your account, and advise on next steps.

Think Jessica

  • Specialist emotional and practical support for scam victims.
  • Particularly helpful if you feel anxious, guilty, fearful or overwhelmed.

Victim Support

Victim Support offers free, confidential emotional and practical help to anyone affected by crime, including scams and fraud.

When you report a crime to the police or Report Fraud, they should automatically ask if you’d like help from an organisation like Victim Support. But anyone affected by crime can contact us directly - you don’t need to talk to the police to get our help.

You can get in touch by:

You can also create a free account on My Support Space – an online resource with interactive guides (including a guide on online crime) to help you manage the impact crime has had on you.

If English is not your first language and you’d like support, call our Supportline and let us know which language you speak. We’ll call you back with an interpreter as soon as possible. We also welcome calls via Relay UK and SignLive (BSL).

Families and friends affected by crime can also contact us for support and information. If you’re a child or young person under 18 and are looking for support, visit our children and young people website for information and tips.

Need urgent support

Call the Samaritans on 116 123 if you are feeling distressed, anxious or need someone to talk to.

Report fraud

Always report online fraud

If you’ve been affected by online fraud the Report Fraud team are the people you need to speak to. They will help you report to the police, learn about how to prevent it, and get the support you need.

Contact the team today!