ActionFraud - National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre - Call 0300 123 2040

Frequently asked questions

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What is Action Fraud?

Action Fraud is the UK national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experience cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Please Note: Police Scotland have not signed up to the Action Fraud process. If you are in Scotland please follow the guidance on the Police Scotland website at Scams and frauds - Police Scotland

Who are the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau?

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) sits alongside Action Fraud within the City of London Police which is the National policing lead for economic crime. All reports of fraud and cyber crime reported to Action Fraud, whether they are identified as a crime report or an information report, are received into NFIB and assessed to determine the most appropriate action for that report. In addition, all reports received by NFIB are analysed to help build a clearer picture and understanding of fraud and cyber crime in England and Wales; which helps the public, law enforcement and businesses to better protect themselves.

How do I make a report to Action Fraud?

Unfortunately Action Fraud are unable to accept reports of fraud by post or direct email as they cannot be recorded. You can make a report to Action Fraud via the website (www.actionfraud.police.uk). Alternatively, please telephone an Action Fraud Advisor on 0300 123 2040.

Do you offer support for deaf or hard of hearing people?

Action Fraud is proud to work alongside SignVideo to assist with reporting for deaf or hard of hearing people who use British Sign Language (BSL). SignVideo is the UK’s leading British Sign Language video interpreting service and offers a specialist state-of-the art video contact centre staffed by fully qualified and registered British Sign Language interpreters and Irish Sign Language interpreters available on demand.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please follow the instructions below in order to access Action Fraud via the SignVideo App.

How do I use the SignVideo App?

In order to use the service, you will need to download the SignVideo app on your mobile device. When you open the app, you will see the SignDirectory. Scroll down the SignDirectory and look for 'Action Fraud'. Click on the button for 'Action Fraud' and a SignVideo interpreter will appear on your screen to interpret your conversation. Please see signvideo.co.uk/download for more information.

What do I need to use SignVideo?

To use SignVideo, you will need three things as minimum requirements:

1) Device: They can be the following:

 iOS app
 Android app
 SignVideo Web

2) Webcam: They can be plugged in or built in.

3) Good internet connection: For the best experience with SignVideo, we advise having a minimum 2mbps upload and download internet speed. Your internet connection can be
any of the following:

 3G,4G,5G mobile network
 Plugged in Broadband/ethernet
 WiFi

What do I need to use SignVideo?

To resolve any issues you may have, please check our the SignVideo page: www.signvideo.co.uk/faq

To receive help and support, please get in touch with the SignVideo Customer Services. You can contact SignVideo in BSL: www.customer.signvideo.me. Alternatively, email the technical support team directly: [email protected]

I have registered on the website, what can I do?

If you have registered you can:

  • Report fraud and cyber crime
  • Save and resume a partially completed report
  • Track the progress of your report
  • Add information to your report 
  • Download a copy of your report
  • Receive an outcome by email

Please visit the Action Fraud website where you can register to use this service any time of the day or night which enables you to both report a fraud and find help and support. Please note that if you do not register at the time the report is made, this service will not be available to you. If you are seeking an update to a report please visit your dashboard to track the progress of your report. If you did not register it will not be possible to receive an update, but an outcome will be provided to you in due course.      

I have registered on your website but didn’t receive a confirmation email?

If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes of signing up, please check your Spam or Junk E-mail folder just in case the confirmation email got delivered there instead of your inbox. If you have your email set up to automatically delete spam, you may also wish to check your deleted folder. If the email still cannot be located please call us on 0300 123 2040.

What is the Action Fraud remit?

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, and takes crime and information reports on behalf of the police and gives advice and fraud prevention guidance.

Action Fraud does not have investigation powers, however, the reports taken by Action Fraud are sent to our colleagues at the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) which is also run by the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud.

The NFIB collates and analyses intelligence on fraud, identifying information which could be used by police forces to progress an investigation. Not all crime reports received by NFIB are sent to forces; for instance, some will be sent to forces as intelligence to enable them to take appropriate action while others will be sent to the Prevention and Disruption Team to allow for the fraud enabler (such as telephone number, website address) to be blocked to prevent others from becoming victims. All reports, whether they are a crime report or information report, will be analysed enabling us to provide timely information and Protect advice to the public.

What crimes can't I report to Action Fraud

Action Fraud takes reports of fraud and cybercrime as set out in the Home Office Counting Rules for Fraud.

We are unable to take reports of:

If your reports relates to any of the above, please follow the links to report it to the correct organisation.

I have concerns that fraudulent activity may be funding terrorism. What should I do?

You may be concerned that suspected fraudulent activity may be connected to funding terrorist activity.

Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. They sometimes need access to funds to help them.

Some examples of suspicious activity could include:

  • Carrying out suspicious or unusual bank transactions
  • Holding passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reasons

When attacks have happened in the past, people have said that they suspected something was wrong, but worried they may waste police time by coming forward. Or that they might get someone into trouble.

You are not wasting our time, and no call or click will be ignored. What you tell us is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.

If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT – Action Counters Terrorism.

Report your concerns to Action Fraud, or visit gov.uk/ACT to make an online report.

What happens to my report once has it been made to Action Fraud?

After a report has been made to Action Fraud, it will be sent for assessment by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). This assessment of fraud and cyber crime reports from across the UK, helps to build a clear picture of where and how fraud and cyber crime is being committed. Experienced Reviewers will assess the data contained in the crime reports to determine whether there is enough information to send to a police force. It is important to be aware that police forces cannot be compelled to accept crime report sent to them by NFIB for investigation, they will review the report themselves and decide on their course of action.

I would like an update on my report?

If you have registered on our website, you can track the progress of your report by logging into your account. After logging in, check your reports status click on “My account” in the top right hand side of the website and then click “My reports”.

If you have any more queries, speak to us on web chat 24 hours a day.

How do I add information to my report?

If you have registered on our website, you can add information to your report by logging into your account. After logging in select the report you want to edit and then “Edit report”.

Please note, we cannot accept physical correspondence or evidence when making a report. However, please keep hold of this evidence as it may be required in the event of a police investigation.

If you have any more queries, speak to us on web chat 24 hours a day.

Can I withdraw my report?

Yes. Where Action Fraud is able to confirm that the circumstances are different to what was originally reported we are usually able to withdraw the matter as a recorded crime.

A typical example of this is a report of internet shopping fraud where goods have not been delivered. Often we receive information from the person making the report that goods were either simply delivered later than expected or that goods could not be supplied through no fault of the seller and a full refund was provided. Another example is where a fraudulent transaction on a bank account was later confirmed to be lawful or due to a banking error.

If you wish to inform us of additional information of this nature, please get in contact with us.

How can I request a copy of my report?

If you have registered on our website you can download a copy of your report by logging into your account. After logging in, to edit your report click on “My account” in the top right hand side of the website and then click “My reports”. Select the report you want and download.

Support / Guidance

If you have been affected by crime, Victim Support can give you the help you need to move forward. Their services are free, confidential and available to anyone in England and Wales, regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it happened. 

Other languages

If English is not your first language we run a service in your language. For further information please visit the Action Fraud website at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Who are NECVCU?

The National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) is a team of specialist advocates working within the City of London Police that supports vulnerable people who have fallen victim to fraud and cyber crime, with the aim being to make them feel safer and reduce the possibility of them becoming a repeat victim.

Find out more about the work that the NECVCU do

Third party requests for information relating to a report?

Action Fraud and the NFIB take the security of data extremely seriously and unless you are the victim or can be verified as acting on behalf of a victim, it will not be possible to enter into correspondence with you.

How do I make a complaint about Action Fraud?

In the first instance, please see the guidance contained in the Action Fraud Complaints Policy.

Action Fraud (AF) and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) are hosted by the City of London Police and there have been recent changes as to how complaints can be made to the Police. Complaints can be made to the City of London Professional Standards Directorate (PSD), or to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

If, having read the guidance, you are still not satisfied with the service you have received from Action Fraud or the NFIB, you can make a complaint via https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/fo/feedback/complaints/complaints/complain-about-the-police/ or https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/complaints/guide-to-complaints-process. 

However, please note that neither Action Fraud nor the NFIB have investigative powers, and the NFIB are operationally independent. The complaints team has no authority or influence over the NFIB, to further review and forward cases to local forces for their consideration to investigate.

The police complaints system is not designed to consider operational decisions.  If your complaint is about a decision not to record a crime or refer a reported fraud for investigation we will not be able to take any further action.

We are aware of feedback received about the term “viable lines of enquiry” which is contained in some of our correspondence. NFIB are currently reviewing this correspondence in order to provide greater clarity about what this means.

How do I make a complaint about a member of the NFIB, City of London Police?

One of the ways in which we continue to improve our service is by listening to and responding to your views. We have tried to make the complaints process as simple as possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you have received from Action Fraud, you can make a complaint via:

https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/complaints-and-appeals/make-complaint

https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/fo/feedback/tc/thanks-and-complaints/

I have registered on the website and I am unable to see my report?

If you made a report before 6th October 2018 the website which you used to make your report has been upgraded.

The NFRC reference number and password details which you were provided will not enable you to access the new functions on the improved website.

Registering on the new website will not enable you to review and update your report made prior to 6th October. If you have not had an update about your report please be assured we will aim to send you an update within 4-6 weeks after you have made your report. 

What is FALCON?

Op Falcon (North, East, South and West) are the areas/boroughs within in the Metropolitan Police Service area. If your receive a letter stating that your crime has been disseminated to any of these areas i.e Falcon North, this means that your crime has been sent to the Metropolitan Police Service team covering that relevant area.