Scammed? What to Do Guide UK (Recover Money, Report 2026)

Step 1: Contact Your Bank Immediately

If you have transferred money to a scammer, call your bank's 24-hour fraud hotline immediately. The phone number is usually on the back of your debit or credit card, or on your banking app. Tell the fraud team that you have been scammed and ask them to freeze your account and recall the payment. UK banks participate in the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code — also called the APP scam code — which requires them to reimburse you if you acted in good faith and reported promptly. Most major banks including Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest, and Santander have signed up. If you paid by Faster Payments or CHAPS, the bank may be able to recall the funds from the receiving bank. Give them the scammer's bank account details, sort code, and any reference numbers. Ask for a crime reference number from the bank's fraud team. If your bank refuses to help, escalate to a manager and mention the CRM Code. Keep a record of the time and date of your call and the name of the person you spoke to. See our Banking Scams guide → for more on your bank's obligations.

Step 2: Report to Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Report online at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. The reporting process takes about 20–30 minutes online. You will need: your personal details, details of the scammer (phone numbers, email addresses, website URLs, bank account details if known), the amount lost, the date and time of the incident, and your police crime reference number from the bank (if you have one). After submitting, you will receive a crime reference number (NFRC) — keep this safe as you will need it for any subsequent claims. Your report is sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) for analysis. Action Fraud cannot investigate individual cases but uses the data to identify patterns and build intelligence for law enforcement. Your report also supports efforts to take down scam websites, freeze scam bank accounts, and prosecute fraudsters. If the scam is in progress, call the police on 999. Otherwise, always use Action Fraud rather than calling 101 for fraud.

Step 3: Protect Your Accounts — Credit Freeze and Cifas

If the scammer has access to your personal information — your date of birth, address, National Insurance number, or bank account details — they may attempt identity fraud to open new accounts, loans, or credit cards in your name. To prevent this, contact the three main credit reference agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and ask for a credit freeze or password-protected alert on your file. This makes it harder for anyone to open new credit in your name without your knowledge. You can also apply for Cifas Protective Registration — a fraud prevention service that adds a warning flag to your credit file. Cifas costs around £25 for a 2-year registration and is well worth it if your personal data has been compromised. Change your passwords — especially for banking, email, and any accounts that use the same password. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts that offer it. Contact Royal Mail if you suspect your post has been intercepted. Monitor your bank and credit card statements closely for unauthorised transactions for at least 12 months. See our Identity Theft guide → for more on protecting your identity.

Step 4: Claim Your Money Back — Chargeback and Section 75

How you paid determines your rights. Credit card payments over £100 and under £30,000 are protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 — your card provider is jointly liable with the merchant, so you can claim the full amount back even if the merchant has disappeared. This is a legal right, not a voluntary scheme. Debit card payments may be recovered through chargeback — a Visa/Mastercard scheme where your bank reverses the transaction. Chargeback is not a legal right but is widely used. You have up to 120 days from the transaction date to make a claim. Bank transfers (Faster Payments, CHAPS) — recovery depends on the CRM Code and how quickly you act. Your bank should attempt to recall the funds. PayPal payments — use PayPal's Buyer Protection scheme by opening a dispute within 180 days. Cryptocurrency payments are extremely difficult to recover due to the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions, but report to Action Fraud anyway. For all payment types, gather evidence: receipts, screenshots, email correspondence, and bank statements. The faster you act, the better your chances of recovery.

Step 5: Report to Other Authorities

Depending on the type of scam, you may need to report to additional bodies. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) — report if the scam involved an investment, pension, or financial services firm. Call 0800 111 6768 or use the online form at fca.org.uk. The FCA can warn others and take enforcement action. Trading Standards — report scams involving goods, services, or rogue traders via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. They can investigate and prosecute under consumer protection laws. Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) — report nuisance calls, spam texts, or emails that led to the scam. Ofcom — report phone number spoofing. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) — forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. If the scam involved a pension transfer, report to The Pensions Regulator. Reporting to multiple bodies increases the chance of enforcement action and helps protect others. Keep a log of every report you make, including reference numbers.

Emotional Support After a Scam

Being scammed can have a profound emotional impact — shame, anxiety, anger, and depression are common reactions. It is important to remember that scams can happen to anyone, regardless of intelligence or caution. Citizens Advice offers free, confidential support and can help you navigate reporting and recovery. Victim Support (victimsupport.org.uk) provides free, specialist emotional and practical support for victims of crime, including fraud. Call them on 0808 168 9111. The Samaritans (116 123) are available 24/7 if you are struggling. MoneyHelper offers a free helpline (0800 011 3797) for money worries after a scam. Think Jessica is a charity supporting victims of romance and investment fraud. Do not isolate yourself — talk to trusted friends or family. Be wary of recovery room scams: fraudsters target previous scam victims pretending they can recover your money for an upfront fee. No legitimate recovery service charges fees upfront. You are not to blame, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

FAQs

How long do I have to report a scam to my bank?

Report immediately — the sooner the better. For bank transfers, the CRM Code requires prompt reporting. For chargeback, you typically have 120 days. Section 75 claims have up to 6 years in some circumstances. Every hour counts.

Will my bank refund me if I was scammed?

Under the CRM Code (APP scam code), most UK banks will reimburse you if you acted in good faith, reported promptly, and were not grossly negligent. Refunds are not guaranteed if you ignored clear warnings or authorised the payment despite suspicious circumstances.

What is the difference between chargeback and Section 75?

Section 75 is a legal right under the Consumer Credit Act that applies to credit card purchases over £100 and under £30,000. Chargeback is a voluntary scheme from Visa/Mastercard for debit and credit cards with no minimum amount. Section 75 provides stronger protection.

Should I call the police about a scam?

Only call 999 if the scam is in progress and you are in immediate danger. Otherwise, report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) rather than 101. Action Fraud is the designated national reporting centre for fraud.

Can I get emotional support after being scammed?

Yes. Victim Support (0808 168 9111) provides free support for scam victims. Citizens Advice, Samaritans (116 123), and MoneyHelper can also help. You are not alone — millions of people fall victim to scams each year in the UK.