Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the centralised fraud and cybercrime reporting service for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Victims report online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Reports are assessed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which identifies patterns, links cases, and disseminates intelligence packages to local forces for investigation.

Although Action Fraud does not directly investigate individual cases, filing a report creates an official crime reference number that is essential for insurance claims, bank dispute procedures, and any subsequent civil action. Financial institutions often require this reference before they will consider reimbursement.

Critics have noted that the rate of cases leading to prosecution is low, partly because many fraudsters operate overseas. Despite this limitation, reporting remains important because aggregate data shapes policing priorities and budget allocations, and mass-reporting of a single campaign can trigger law enforcement action at scale.