Avoid and report internet scams and phishing

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1. Report internet scams and phishing

Report misleading websites, emails, phone numbers, phone calls or text messages you think may be suspicious.

Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you鈥檙e not sure they鈥檙e genuine.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Emails

Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

The will investigate it.

Text messages

Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 - it鈥檚 free.

This will report the message to your mobile phone provider.

Adverts

. You can report adverts found online, including in search engines, websites or on social media.

You can also:

  • if you found them in Google search results
  • if you found them in Bing search results

If you think you鈥檝e been a victim of an online scam or fraud

Contact Action Fraud if you think you鈥檝e lost money or been hacked because of an online scam or fraud and you鈥檙e in England or Wales. You can:

  • - either sign up for an account or continue as a 鈥榞uest鈥�
  • call 0300 123 2040

If you鈥檙e in Scotland and you鈥檝e lost money because of an online scam or fraud, .

Avoid websites, emails and phone numbers that imitate government services

Some websites, emails or phone numbers look like they鈥檙e part of an official government service when they鈥檙e not, or claim to help more than they actually do. Some make you pay for things that would be free or cheaper if you used the official government service.

Search on 伊人直播 to find official government services and phone numbers, for example if you want to apply to the DVLA for a driving licence.

2. Report scam HMRC messages, calls and social media accounts

You can report suspicious HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) emails, texts, phone calls, social media accounts and letters. How you do this depends on what you received.

If you get:

Your email address and phone number will be shared with other organisations if that鈥檚 necessary to close down the scam.

If you鈥檝e given your personal details to someone

Contact the HMRC security team if you think you鈥檝e given any personal information in reply to a suspicious email or text.

Include brief details of what you disclosed (for example name, address, HMRC User ID, password) but do not give your personal details in the email.

HMRC security team
phishing@hmrc.gov.uk

Spotting HMRC scams

You鈥檒l never get an email, text message, message in an application (for example WhatsApp) or a phone call from HMRC which:

  • tells you about a tax rebate or penalty
  • asks for your personal or payment information

Check HMRC鈥檚 guidance on recognising scams if you鈥檙e not sure.

3. Report visa and immigration scams

You鈥檒l never be asked to pay for a visa using:

  • cash
  • money transfer

to report visa and immigration scams. You should include:

  • a copy of the suspicious email you received, the sender鈥檚 email address and the date and time it was received
  • details of what you sent in a reply, if you replied - for example whether you sent your bank details, address or password

You can also report suspicious emails, letters or telephone calls to the police through Action Fraud.