How to report
You can report online at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. The service is available 24/7 online and by phone Monday to Friday 8am-8pm. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101 instead.
You’ll need details of what happened, when, how much money was involved, and how you paid. Have your bank statements and any communications with the scammer ready.
What happens after you report
You’ll receive a crime reference number starting with ‘NFRC’. Keep this safe — you’ll need it for your bank claim and any FOS complaint.
Action Fraud passes reports to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which analyses patterns and passes actionable cases to police forces. While individual cases are rarely investigated, the data helps disrupt fraud networks.
Why it matters for your refund claim
Under PSR rules, consenting to police reporting is one of the four elements of the consumer standard of caution. If you haven’t reported to Action Fraud, your bank could use this as grounds to reduce or refuse your reimbursement.
Having a crime reference number also demonstrates that you took the fraud seriously and acted responsibly — which strengthens your position if the case reaches the Financial Ombudsman.
When to report
Report as soon as possible after discovering the fraud. While there’s no strict deadline for reporting to Action Fraud, prompt reporting shows you acted responsibly and supports your bank claim timeline.
If some time has passed, report anyway — having a crime reference number is better than not having one, even if the report is delayed.