A scam often creates speed before evidence
Fraudsters may create urgency with a deadline, account problem, limited opportunity or threat. The purpose is to reduce the time available for independent checking. A genuine organisation should allow you to stop and verify contact through a trusted route.
Unexpected contact can arrive through calls, email, text, social media, messaging apps, online adverts or a copied website. Professional design and personal information do not prove that the approach is genuine.
Promises and pressure are warning signs
Be cautious about guaranteed returns, unusually consistent profits, secret methods, early bonuses and pressure to increase a payment. An offer can still be a scam when the return sounds modest enough to appear credible.
Requests to keep the opportunity private, move money to a safe account, pay a tax or release fee, buy gift cards or cryptocurrency, or allow remote access should stop the conversation.
Clone firms copy genuine details
A scammer can copy the name, address, website and Firm Reference Number of an authorised business. Finding the name on a register is therefore not enough.
Use the FCA Firm Checker yourself and contact the firm through the telephone number or website shown by the official checker. Do not use the link, email or telephone number supplied by the person who approached you.
Protect access as carefully as money
Do not share passwords, one-time passcodes, card PINs or full security answers. Do not install remote-access software or share your screen because a caller says they need to secure an account.
Use unique passwords, current device software and appropriate account alerts. If someone already has access, use a separate trusted device where possible to contact providers and change compromised credentials.
Act quickly after a payment or disclosure
If money has been sent or bank details shared, contact your bank immediately using the trusted details on your card, statement or official app. Explain exactly what happened and follow its security instructions.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud as the national reporting service in December 2025. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101 for a non-emergency. Financial-services scams can also be reported to the FCA.
Report suspicious messages safely
Suspicious emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk and suspicious texts to 7726. Do not click links or download attachments simply to investigate them.
Keep screenshots, dates, payment details and correspondence if it is safe to do so, but do not continue engaging with the suspected fraudster to collect more evidence.
There is no shame in being targeted
Scams are designed to exploit trust, pressure and real needs. Tell someone you trust and seek support. Silence can give a criminal more time and can leave a victim vulnerable to a second recovery scam.
Be particularly cautious if someone later offers to recover lost money for an upfront fee. Verify every organisation independently, even when it appears to know details of the first incident.
Create your pause-and-check card
Save these steps where you can reach them before responding to financial contact.
- Stop the conversation and do not move money or share a code.
- Write down what was requested without clicking supplied links.
- Verify the organisation through the FCA Firm Checker or its official website.
- Discuss the request with a trusted person before acting.
- If anything was shared, contact the bank and current reporting service immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is a firm genuine if its reference number is real?
Not necessarily. Clone firms copy real details. Match the contact information through the FCA Firm Checker and make contact independently.
Will a bank ever ask for a one-time passcode?
Do not share one-time passcodes with an unexpected caller or message. End the contact and call your bank through a trusted route.
Where do I report fraud now?
Report Fraud is the national service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland uses Police Scotland for crime reports. Contact your bank immediately if money or banking information is involved.
What is a recovery scam?
It is a second scam that targets someone who has already lost money, often promising recovery after an upfront fee or further disclosure.
Sources and further help
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