Last updated:
4th August 2025
Report fraud to relevant authorities
Fraud helplines and emergency contact information
Unless a specific organisation would investigate (see below) ALL fraud should be reported to ACTION FRAUD and only to Police in certain circumstances. Action fraud will pass reports to the Police if relevant
When to call the Police:
999 - if someone may come to immediate harm - such as a fraudster is taking an elderly person to the bank so they withdraw all their money, evidence is likely to be lost unless quick action is taken
101 (or report online) - if someone is vulnerable and not able to protect themselves from fraud or financial exploitation
Relevant authorities:
Report fraud to Action Fraud: Reporting fraud and cyber crime | Action Fraud or call them on 0300 123 2040
Report Benefit fraud to Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) who administer benefits and are the Agency who investigate Housing Benefit, Disability benefit, Universal credit, Income support, employment support allowance, and Pension credit
Report fraud to the DWP: GOV UK or call them on 0800 854 440
Report fraud to HMRC: Report tax fraud or avoidance to HMRC - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Report high level/ serious bribery or corruption directly to the Serious fraud office: Reporting serious fraud, bribery and corruption - Serious Fraud Office (sfo.gov.uk)
Report Insurance fraud: IFB | Home (insurancefraudbureau.org)
Report NHS fraud: Report NHS Fraud | Home | NHSCFA
Report suspicious emails / phishing to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service: report@phishing.gov.uk
Report smishing/ vishing (suspicious text messages and scam call numbers) to 7726 which is free of charge). Your provider can find out where the text or call came from and block or ban the sender. For more information: How to report scam texts and mobile calls to 7726 - Ofcom
Report suspicious ads in a paid-for space to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) asa.org.uk
