Online Scams in the UK: How to Spot Them and Where to Report (2026)

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Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK. The good news: most scams follow a few familiar patterns. Here is how to spot them and what to do.

Table of Contents

1. Fake Royal Mail, Evri and DPD Texts

A text says a parcel could not be delivered and asks you to pay a small fee through a link. The link steals your card details. Delivery companies do not ask for fees this way.

2. HMRC Tax Refund or Debt Messages

Messages promising a tax refund or threatening arrest over unpaid tax are scams. HMRC does not send refund links by text or email.

3. Bank Impersonation (“Safe Account” Scams)

Someone calls pretending to be your bank or the police and asks you to move money to a “safe account”. Your bank will never ask this. Hang up and call 159, which connects you to most major UK banks safely.

4. Romance Scams

A person met online builds a relationship and then asks for money. Never send money to someone you have not met face to face.

5. Fake Job and Investment Offers

Easy work-from-home tasks that require a deposit, or crypto “investments” with guaranteed returns, are scams.

Where to Report Scams in the UK

Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) – reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
Scotland – Police Scotland on 101.
Forward scam texts to 7726.
Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Call your bank immediately if you have lost money.

Final Thoughts

Stop, think, check. Never share one-time passcodes, and if anything feels urgent or too good to be true, contact the organisation using a number you find yourself.