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Who are we?
We’re here for the 4.6 million people affected by cyber crime and fraud every year.
If you’ve been affected and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland – we’re the people you need to speak to. We'll help you report to the police, learn about how to prevent it, and get the support you need – right here at Report Fraud.W
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Use the search bar to explore our articles and help guides and learn more about cyber crime and fraud, and how to protect yourself.
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Get help and support
Need to speak to someone about how cyber crime or fraud is affecting you? Here are just a few of the organisations who can help you.
Age UK
Aged 60 or over? Speak to Age UK. They can help you deal with the long-term effects of fraud.
Citizens Advice
Use Citizens Advice to check if something might be cyber crime or fraud.
Counselling Directory
The online network gives information on counselling as well as listing counsellors in areas across the UK.
Stop! Think Fraud
Learn how to protect yourself from fraudsters by staying vigilant and taking a moment to stop and think.
Money Helper
Money Helper offers guidance and support for consumers seeking to improve their financial lives.
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.
Cyber crime and fraud
Stay one step ahead of criminals with our A-Z guide of cyber crime and fraud
What is cyber crime and fraud?
Cyber crime and fraud are both serious criminal offences. If you've been affected by either, you should report it.
Fraud is when someone tricks you into giving them money or information. There are many different ways someone can try to defraud you – in person, over the phone, and online. It’s a serious criminal offence as defined by the Fraud Act 2006.
Cyber crime is when criminals use the Internet to target individuals and businesses. They can use a wide range of attacks – from stealing your passwords and financial details to locking you out of your computer with a virus.
If either has happened to you, you should report it as soon as possible.
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A-Z of cyber crime and fraud
A-Z of cyber crime and fraud
Information, guidance and advice on the different types of cyber crime and fraud.
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419 emails and letters
When a stranger contacts you and asks you to pay an admin fee to help move a large amount of money from one country to another with the promise you’ll be rewarded with a cut of the cash later on.
These emails can involve countries such as Iraq, South Africa or somewhere in West Africa such as Ivory Coast, Togo or Nigeria, where the name ‘419’ (an article of the country’s criminal code) originates.
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Abuse of position of trust
When someone abuses their position of authority or trust for personal or financial gain, or so that someone else loses money or status.
Account takeover
An account takeover can happen when a fraudster or cyber criminal poses as a genuine customer, gains control of an account and then makes unauthorised transactions.
Application fraud
When an account is opened using fake or stolen documents in your name, using the account to withdraw cash, get credit, or find other ways to defraud you.
Asset misappropriation fraud
Asset misappropriation fraud happens when people who are entrusted to manage the assets of an organisation steal from it.
Auction fraud
Learn what auction and online shopping fraud is, what methods criminals use to steal money and exploit people and how to protect yourself from this type of cyber crime.
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Bank account fraud
Bank account fraud is when criminals illegally accesses or uses a bank account to steal money or financial information.
Bank card & cheque fraud
Bank card and cheque fraud happens when criminals steal your cards or chequebook and gain access to funds in your account.
Benefit fraud
Benefit fraud is committed when you deliberately claim benefits you are not entitled to.
Betting fraud
Betting fraud happens when you are made offers of inside information or ‘foolproof’ systems that guarantee you profit from gambling.
Botnet-related fraud
Botnet is a distributed network of infected devices on the internet, used to commit coordinated cyber attacks without their owner's knowledge.
Botnet’s are often used to send spam emails, launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, steal data and facilitate other forms of cyber crime.
Business fraud
Business Fraud occurs when a person or organisation dishonestly misrepresents facts or services with the intention of making a gain or causing a loss.
Bankruptcy & insolvency fraud
When a company tries to do business while insolvent, such as applying for credit or trading while suspended or disqualified, or reforms as a phoenix company to avoid paying creditors.
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Customer fraud
Fraudsters posing as customers can use a number of methods to deceive a business – the use of false personal details, using forged currency or someone else’s payment card details to pay for goods, or attempt to build a trusting relationship before placing an order or requesting a line of credit that they have no intention of honouring.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto investment fraud is one of the fastest growing types of fraud in the UK, experienced by those who believe their ‘investment’ will vastly grow their money.
Courier fraud
Courier fraud occurs when criminals contact you by phone and convince you to hand over money or your debit/credit card under false pretences.
Counterfeit goods fraud
When any product such as designer clothes, accessories, electricals or cosmetics are fake but sold as authentic.
Counterfeit gift certificates
When fake gift cards, certificates or bonds for a high street retailer or business are made by someone to look genuine and sold to consumers.
Council tax fraud
Council tax fraud is when a person deliberately gives incorrect or misleading information in order to pay less or no council tax.
Computer hacking
Computer hacking refers to the unauthorised access or manipulation of computer systems, networks, or data.
Click fraud
Click fraud is when a pay-per-click online advert is deliberately clicked on in order to inflate a company’s advertising bill.
Charity donation fraud
Charity fraud or charity donation fraud involves deceiving individuals into donating to fake charities or misusing funds intended for legitimate causes. Criminals exploit donors' goodwill, diverting money away from those in need and into their own pockets.
Cash point fraud
Sometimes criminals target cash points in order to commit fraud.
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Door to door sales & bogus tradesmen fraud
Bogus tradesmen, door-to-door sales or doorstep fraud involves fraudsters trying to defraud you after knocking at your door.
Denial of Service (DoS)
A denial of service (DoS) attack is an attempt to overload a website or network, with the aim of degrading its performance or even making it completely inaccessible. Typically a successful DoS attack will result in loss of availability of part, or all, of a system, and consume time and money to analyse, defend and recover from.
Debit and credit card fraud
When personal information is stolen from your debit, credit or store card, or the card itself is stolen, in order for money to be taken from your account or used to buy items in your name.
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Fronting
‘Fronting’ is often used to describe a form of car insurance fraud, when someone claims to be the main driver on a car insurance policy when they are not.
Financial investment fraud
£1.2 billion is lost to investment scams in the UK, with share sales, wine investments, land banking and carbon credits commonly used by fraudsters to target potential investors. Anyone can become a victim of investment fraud.
False accounting fraud
False accounting fraud happens when company assets are overstated or liabilities are understated in order to make a business appear financially stronger than it really is.
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Holiday fraud
When you’ve paid a travel agent or agency, or someone offering short-term lodging for rent online, and find out that the holiday you’ve booked (or parts of it) doesn’t exist.
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Invoice scams
Fake invoice scams happen when fraudsters send an invoice or bill to an individual or company, requesting payment for goods or services.
Investment fraud
Investment fraud involves deceiving individuals into investing money in fake or misrepresented opportunities. Promises of high returns with little risk are made, but the invested funds are stolen, resulting in significant financial losses for the victims.
Intellectual property fraud
Intellectual property fraud is when fake goods are passed off as originals.
Insurance fraud
Insurance-related frauds happen when false claims are made to insurance companies.
Insider information
This is when someone from inside a company deals or tries to deal using inside information.
Inheritance fraud
Inheritance fraud is when criminals convince a person that someone has passed away and left them an inheritance. The fraudsters will claim that the victim needs to pay a fee, such as a legal fee, in order to receive the inheritance. In reality, there is no inheritance and the fraudster will cease contact with the victim once they’ve received the "fee".
Identity fraud and identity theft
Identity theft is when your personal details are stolen and identity fraud is when those details are used to commit fraud.
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Lottery scams
Lottery, sweepstake or prize draw fraud happens after fraudsters contact you to tell you you’ve won a large sum of money in an international lottery, sweepstake or other prize draw.
Loan scams
Loan scams are a type of advance fee fraud. Fraud has been committed when money has been lost.
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Mortgage fraud
Mortgage fraud occurs where individuals defraud a financial institution or private lender through the mortgage process.
Money muling
Money muling is when an individual, commonly referred to as a 'money mule' moves the proceeds of crime on behalf of criminals, sometimes in exchange for payment or other benefit.
Money laundering & movement
Money laundering is the process where criminals hide the origins of their illegally gained money.
Mobile phone fraud
Mobile phone fraud involves fraudulent activity involving the sale of non-existent or substandard phone-related services, as well as scams that lead to unintended premium-rate calls or unwanted and expensive subscription sign ups.
Miracle health scams
Miracle health scams can include fake ‘miracle’ cures and weight loss products as well as bogus online pharmacies.
Medical scams
Health and medical scams happen after you receive an email or see an advert promising miracle tablets and other medical cures that offer unbelievable results.
Mass marketing fraud
Mass marketing fraud occurs when you receive unsolicited contact by email, letter or phone or advertisement where false promises are made to obtain money.
Marketing materials
Marketing materials such as brochures can be produced to enable fraud.
Mandate fraud
Mandate Fraud, also known as Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF) and Business Email Compromise (BEC), tends to affect businesses and customers where electronic financial transactions are taking place.
Malware and computer viruses
Also known as ransomware, viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, adware, scareware and crimeware - software that’s been made by someone so that your computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone doesn’t work as it’s supposed to. In some cases it also collects information or data saved on your device and passes it on.
Mail boxes and multiple post redirections
Legitimate mail services, such as the use of mailboxes and post redirections, can be used to enable fraud.
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Non domestic rate fraud
Non-domestic rate fraud involves providing false information to avoid or reduce the business rates owed on commercial properties. This deceit results in an unfair financial advantage and reduces revenue for local authorities.
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Office supply scams
Office supply scams happen when telemarketers trick employees into ordering or paying for stationery.
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Pyramid scheme fraud
Pyramid scheme fraud involves an unsustainable business which rewards people for enrolling others into a business that offers a non-existent or worthless product.
Public funding and grants
Fraud relating to public funding and grants happens when individuals, organisations (eg businesses or charities) or organised criminal groups claim public funding or grants that they are not eligible for.
Fraudulent claims could be made to a number of public organisations, eg local authorities, the Lottery Commission, European Union and the Student Loans Company.
If fraud has been committed, report it to Report Fraud.
Psychic scams
Psychic and clairvoyant scams happen when a fraudster approaches you to tell you they have seen something either wonderful or terrible in your future. They ask for money in order to provide a full report about it.
The apparently psychic or clairvoyant fraudsters approach their victims by email, post, telephone call or even face-to-face.
They may tell you that you are in some kind of trouble, but can offer a solution in return for payment. They may claim to be able to give you winning lottery numbers, or offer to remove a curse.
The fraudsters tend to ask for an administration fee for their services.
Fraud has been committed if money has been lost.
If fraud has been committed, report it to Report Fraud.
Property fraud
Property fraud involves fraudsters offering you a ‘get rich quick’ investment scam, claiming it can turn you into a property millionaire.
Procurement fraud
Procurement fraud is any fraud relating to a company purchasing goods, services or commissioning construction projects from third parties.
Ponzi schemes
Ponzi schemes are ‘get rich quick’ investment scams which pay returns to investors from their own money, or from money paid in by subsequent investors. There is no actual investment scheme as the fraudsters siphon off the money for themselves.
Phishing
Cyber criminals use fake messages as bait to lure you into clicking on the links within their scam email or text message, or to give away sensitive information (such as bank details).
Pensions scams
You may have been redirected to this page from a suspected pension fraud website. Report Fraud and the National Crime Agency have been working with law enforcement and regulatory partners to suspend these websites to protect the public.
Payment fraud
Payment fraud is any fraud that involves falsely creating or diverting payments.
Payment diversion fraud
Business email compromise and payment diversion fraud are sophisticated cyber crimes that target individuals and businesses, aiming to deceive them into transferring funds or sensitive information to cybercriminals posing as legitimate entities. These scams often involve impersonation tactics, compromising email accounts, and manipulating communication to divert payments or sensitive data.
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Romance fraud
Dating and romance fraud (sometimes referred to as 'pig butchering' scams) involves deceiving someone into a fictitious romantic relationship, often online, to gain their trust and exploit them financially. Victims are manipulated through emotional connections, leading to significant financial loss and emotional distress.
Rental fraud
Rental fraud happens when fraudsters trick would-be tenants into paying an upfront fee for a property that does not exist or is not available to rent. Once the criminals have received payment, they cease contact with the victim.
Recruitment scams
Employment fraud happens when a fraudster claims to be a recruitment agent, hiring you for a job – which can be in a foreign country - that doesn’t exist.
Recovery fraud
When someone who has been a victim of fraud in the past is contacted again by criminals. They pretend to be a government, police or law agency that can help recover the money that was lost, but ask for a fee to get it back.
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Shopping fraud
Shopping and auction fraud involves fraudulent shopping scams that rely on the anonymity of the internet.
Share sales & boiler room fraud
Share sale, boiler room, hedge fund or bond fraud involves bogus stockbrokers, usually based overseas, cold calling people to pressure them into buying shares that promise high returns. In reality, the shares are either worthless or non-existent.
Sextortion
Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion (often referred to as ‘sextortion’) involves people being forced into paying money or meeting another financial demand, after an offender has threatened to release nude or semi-nude photos of them.
This could be a real photo taken by the victim, or a fake image created of them by the offender.
Spam emails
Spam emails are emails sent out to millions of email addresses to try to gain personal information.
Smishing
Understand what 'smishing' fraud entails and how to protect yourself from suspicious messages.
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Tax fraud
Tax fraud includes tax evasion, where an individual or company avoids their tax liability by deliberately failing to declare their income, or by falsifying expenses. It also includes smuggling goods that are liable to excise duty, customs duty or VAT.
Tax theft can happen when a person claims amounts that are not due.
Tax fraud also happens when VAT is charged on a product, but that tax is not paid to the government and is instead stolen by the fraudster. This is known as Missing Trader Intra-Community Fraud (MTIC), or carousel fraud.
Ticket fraud
When you buy tickets from a website or agent for a concert or festival, a sporting event, or a live comedian or performer, but the tickets either don’t arrive or turn out to be fake and you aren’t refunded.
Timeshare and holiday club fraud
While timeshares are a legitimate sector of the travel industry, fraudsters seek to exploit the public in a number of ways.
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Vishing
This page is designed to help you understand vishing, recognise common tactics used by scammers, and learn how to stay safe from phone‑based fraud.
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Website domain name scams
Scams relating to website domain names involve fraudsters offering businesses first refusal on a domain name, saying that someone else is just about to buy it.
Work from home scams
An offer to make easy money by starting your own business by working from your own home. The scheme organiser will make you pay an advance fee, avoid paying you for the work you’ve done, make you buy worthless products or make you sign up others to the scheme before you’re paid.
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