What to do if you think you've been scammed
Realising you've been scammed is horrible, and it happens to clever, careful people every day. The most important thing now is to act quickly, not to blame yourself.
Work through these steps in order. You don't need to do them all at once — the first two matter most.
1. If money or card details are involved
Ring your bank immediately on 159 or the number on the back of your card. Tell them exactly what happened. The sooner they know, the better the chance of stopping a payment.
2. If someone was on your computer
Disconnect it from the internet — unplug the cable or switch Wi-Fi off — and don't use it for banking until it has been checked. Scammers often leave remote access tools behind.
3. Change your passwords
Use a different device that you know is safe.
- Email first, because it can be used to reset everything else
- Then online banking and any shopping accounts
- Then any account where you used the same password
4. Report it
- Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
- Scam texts: forward to 7726
- Scam emails: forward to report@phishing.gov.uk
5. Watch out for the follow-up
People who have been scammed are often contacted again by someone offering to "recover" the money for a fee. That is a second scam. Genuine help from your bank or the police never costs money.