Free, confidential support
You're not the only one this happened to.
If you've been affected by a scam, you can talk it through with someone who understands. Free initial support, no judgement and no obligation — we'll help you work out what to do next.
- Free initial support
- Confidential
- No judgement
- No obligation
We are an independent support service. We are not the police, Report Fraud, the FCA or a government authority.
Operated by AY Strategy UK Legal Consulting Ltd.
Please hear this first
It isn't your fault, and you don't need to feel ashamed.
Scams are designed by people who do this professionally, every single day. They are built to work on careful, sensible people — and they often do.
Thousands of people in the UK are targeted every week. Reaching out is not a sign that something went wrong with you. It's the sensible next step.
- You were targeted deliberately, by people who practise this.
- Feeling embarrassed, angry or numb afterwards is completely normal.
- Talking about it early usually makes the next steps easier.
- You decide what happens next — nobody will push you.
You're not alone
Things people tell us
Illustrative examples of situations people describe to us. These are anonymised examples, not customer reviews or testimonials.
“Someone called saying my bank account was at risk and I needed to move my money.”
Read about bank impersonation“I was talking to them for months. I really believed they cared about me.”
Read about romance fraud“The returns looked steady, and the website looked completely genuine.”
Read about investment fraud“They asked me to send crypto and said I'd get it back within the hour.”
Read about cryptocurrency fraud
Illustrative examples only. No outcome is described, promised or implied.
Start wherever you are
What happened to you?
Choose whichever is closest. Nothing here commits you to anything — it just helps us show you relevant information.
- I sent money by bank transferSee next steps
- I sent cryptocurrencySee next steps
- I was approached about an investmentSee next steps
- Someone I met online asked for moneySee next steps
- Someone pretended to be my bankSee next steps
- Someone accessed my computer or phoneSee next steps
- I paid for something that never arrivedSee next steps
- Something else happenedSee next steps
The first few hours
Gentle steps you can take today
Four things worth doing, in this order. Take breaks if you need to — none of this has to happen all at once.
- 1
Pause
Send no further money, and don't pay any fee that promises to release or recover funds.
- 2
Tell your bank
Call your bank on the number on the back of your card or in your banking app.
- 3
Secure your accounts
Change passwords from a device you trust and turn on two-factor authentication.
- 4
Keep everything
Keep messages, emails, statements and receipts exactly as they are. Delete nothing.
How it works
How we support you
No forms full of jargon, no pressure and no sales calls. Just a calm conversation and clear information.
- 1
Tell us what happened
In your own words, at your own pace. You can stop at any point, and you don't need to have all the details ready.
- 2
We help you understand it
We set out what happened clearly, explain how this kind of fraud usually works, and help you secure things.
- 3
You get clear next steps
Who to contact, what they'll usually ask for, and what to expect. You decide what you'd like to do.
We will never ask you for these
Support comes first
Free support and legal services are separate
Initial support is free. Legal services are a separate, optional service and are never a condition of receiving support.
Always free
Free support
- Talk through what happened without judgement
- Practical steps to secure accounts and devices
- Help preserving and organising evidence
- Clear explanation of who to report to
Separate and optional
Optional legal support
- Provided separately by AY-Legal, not by this support service
- Requires your explicit, separate consent
- Reviews whether legal or complaints-based options may be available
- No outcome is promised or implied
You are never required to instruct AY-Legal in order to receive initial support.
Guidance by situation
Types of fraud
Each page explains the warning signs, what to do now, what evidence to preserve and where to report.
Bank transfer fraud
Money sent by bank transfer to someone who turned out not to be genuine.
Read guidanceCryptocurrency fraud
Crypto sent to a wallet, exchange or 'trading platform' that was not genuine.
Read guidanceInvestment fraud
An investment opportunity that turned out not to be genuine.
Read guidanceRomance fraud
Someone you met online built a relationship and then asked for money.
Read guidanceBank impersonation
Someone contacted you pretending to be your bank.
Read guidanceRemote access and device fraud
Someone gained access to your computer or phone.
Read guidancePurchase scams
You paid for goods or services that never arrived.
Read guidanceSomething else happened
Not sure how to describe it? Start here.
Read guidance
Keep it safe
Things worth holding on to
You don't need to send us anything now. Just keep the originals safe and don't delete anything.
- Chats and messages
- Emails
- Bank statements
- Bank correspondence
- Screenshots
- Transaction receipts
- Wallet addresses
- Transaction hashes
Common worries
Questions people often feel nervous asking
Will I be judged?
No. Fraud is carried out by organised, practised criminals who do this every day. Being deceived says nothing about your intelligence or your judgement.
Is this really free?
Initial support is free. If separate legal help is ever relevant, we explain it clearly and separately, and only with your explicit consent.
What happens to my information?
We only use it to support you. It is stored securely and is never sold. Our privacy notice explains exactly how it is handled and how to ask us to delete it.
Do I have to give my details?
You can read every guide on this site without telling us anything. Contact details are only needed if you'd like someone to get back to you.
I feel embarrassed. Do I have to say everything?
Only what you feel comfortable sharing. Many people tell us the hardest part was starting the conversation. Nothing you say will surprise us.
Reporting it officially
Fraud Victim Support does not replace an official police report. Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101.
Kept under editorial review
Latest scam alerts
- HIGHUK
Calls claiming your account is at risk
Reports of calls asking people to move money to a "safe account". No bank will ever ask you to do this.
- MEDIUMUK
Parcel redelivery text messages
Texts asking for a small redelivery fee, leading to a card details page and later a follow-up impersonation call.
- HIGHUK
Fake crypto "recovery" services
Services approaching previous fraud victims and asking for an upfront fee to recover funds.
- MEDIUMUK
Cloned investment firm documents
Fraudsters copying the branding and registration details of genuine regulated firms.
Plain-English help
Popular guides
- First steps
What to do in the first 24 hours
A calm, ordered checklist for the first day after discovering fraud.
6 min read - Evidence
How to preserve evidence
What to keep, how to keep it, and what not to delete.
5 min read - Reporting
Reporting fraud in the UK
Who to report to and what each organisation does.
4 min read - Security
Protecting your accounts after fraud
Practical steps to secure banking, email and devices.
7 min read - Banks
Talking to your bank about fraud
How to prepare and what to expect.
5 min read - Support
Supporting someone affected by fraud
How to help a family member or friend.
4 min read
Whenever you're ready, we're here.
There's no rush and no obligation. Tell us what happened, and we'll help you understand what to do next.
A note on staying safe
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